Jessica Dicken

In this session, attendees will receive an overview of the North Carolina prevention system, including its current state and future direction. Throughout the session, the following topics will be discussed: statewide progress on alcohol, prescription drugs and tobacco prevention initiatives, new and emerging state priorities, opportunities for continued collaboration.

History of State Legalization, Lessons Learned, Changes, What Can Prevention Do To Protect: Maine and Washington

Alexis Perry, PS-C and Sarah Mariani, CPP

During the opening Plenary, speakers from the States of Washington and Maine will provide an overview of the Legal Cannabis Market while explaining the Marijuana legalization process in each State. They will also review policies, laws, and rules related to Public Health Safety and describe prevention strategies for addressing legalized marijuana use/misuse. The impact of legal marijuana will be discussed for their states.

Alexis Perry, PS-C, and Sarah Mariani, CPP, will continue their presentation with a Q&A session moderated by Jessica Dicken, MSW.

Building Prevention & Recovery Friendly Congregations: how to engage religious communities in the wellness ecosystem.

Niles Comer, M.A

This session will give religious congregations an overview of prevention and recovery broadly and within their context, address barriers to becoming prevention and recovery friendly, and discuss ways to become more engaged in the community wellness through prevention and recovery friendly services and collaboration.

Amplifying Youth Perspectives: Empowering Communities to Thrive

Luke Jarvis & Youth Team; Aleena Siddiqi – 11th grader Teen Action Council President,

Tyler Burch – 11th grader Teen Action Council Member

Alicia Roberts -11th grader Teen Action Council Member

Haleigh Thompson – 11th grader Teen Action Council Member

This session is a dynamic presentation led by a group of passionate teenagers from rural North Carolina’s Wilkes County. In this panel discussion, these young leaders share their insights and experiences regarding substance use prevention, drawing from their unique perspectives growing up in a rural community. This panel discussion explores the pivotal role that youth voices play in creating positive change within communities. These teenagers discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in addressing substance use issues, highlighting the importance of proactive prevention strategies tailored to their community’s needs.

Alianza’s The Latinx community Success, and challenges of working in community.

Ricardo Torres, B.S.; Diana Martinez BA & Ernesto Rios Cervantes BA

This presentation can help organizations and other communities. Our coalition’s experience of what we have learned in our ten years of existence as a coalition. We hope that we can provide an example of what we have done and also discuss the barriers that still exist in our communities in North Carolina. We will talk a little bit about cultural humility and the importance of what is needed in our communities. While celebrating the unique and beautiful cultures within the Latinx community.

Building Health Equity

Tasha Wilkerson & Raylette Johnson

The Building Health Equity training will also address the intersectionality of substance misuse within the broader context of health disparities. Participants will gain insights into how substance misuse contributes to and exacerbates existing health inequities experienced by specific population groups, including those defined by race, ethnicity, primary language, geography, and socioeconomic status.

Artificial Intelligence and Substance Use Prevention Ethical Considerations

Virginia Johnson & Thomas Ray

Join us for this interactive session on ethical considerations for artificial intelligence (AI) in substance use prevention efforts. The session will begin with an introduction to how AI is being utilized in research, education, data analysis, and advocacy efforts. Next we will examine a series of case studies and discuss the ethical considerations of privacy and security, transparency, ethics and biases, and impact.

Empowering Inclusivity: LGBTQIA+ Youth Substance Use Prevention and Inclusive Language

Ashley Osborne

Empowering Inclusivity: LGBTQIA+ Youth Substance Use Prevention and Inclusive Language,” addresses the crucial intersection of LGBTQIA+ youth, substance use prevention, and the importance of inclusive language. Delve into strategies for fostering a supportive environment that both recognizes and addresses the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth in the context of substance use prevention. By emphasizing inclusive language, the presentation aims to promote a more welcoming and understanding approach to create effective prevention programs tailored to the diverse needs of this community.

Stamps, Stigma and Successes in Street Medicine: A review of OUD efforts in Edgecombe County

Dalton N. Barrett, B.S., Paramedic, Level II EMS Instructor

This presentation will discuss harm reduction, collaboration, community partnerships, case-studies, illicit street drug testing and other efforts of OUD care within rural Edgecombe County.

Escape the Vape: Turning the Curve on Youth Tobacco Use Through Policy, Systems and Environmental Change

Shayla Hayes, Ray Riordan

Youth tobacco use, particularly vaping, presents a pressing public health challenge, with long-term implications for individual well-being and societal health. In this presentation, we delve into the multifaceted strategies of policy, systems, and environmental changes aimed at curbing youth tobacco use. Through an examination of evidence-based interventions, we explore the potential of targeted policies, strengthened systems, and altered environments to disrupt the allure of vaping among young people. By understanding the interconnectedness of these approaches, we aim to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to effect transformative change in youth tobacco use. Join us in our pursuit to Escape the Vape and safeguard the health and future of our youth.

Cultural Competency in Military Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention

Sam Lewis

Cultural Competency in Military Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention: An introduction of military culture and how behavioral health substance abuse and prevention are implemented inside the gate. An introduction to military culture and how active duty service members access BH/SA services. Participants will get an overview of how the Department of Defense implement their behavioral health, substance abuse, and prevention programs. Information on referrals, rank structuring, prevention interventions, treatment practices and standards, along with cultural norms and the climate of the active duty Marine or Sailor.

Innovations and Implications: How to respond to changing community needs

Jane Casarez, Hayley Edward, Virginia Fagg Crespin, Teresa Mobley, Alicia Brunelli

Prevention professionals are often recognized as the community experts on substance use prevention, but what happens when stakeholders and community members look to prevention providers and prevention coalitions to support overdose prevention initiatives? The recent demands on providers and coalitions to include overdose prevention presents both opportunities and challenges. During this session, we will discuss some key considerations and strategies for coalitions looking to incorporate overdose prevention activities into their strategic plans while continuing their primary substance use prevention efforts. By addressing both primary substance use prevention and overdose prevention, prevention providers and coalitions can work towards a more comprehensive approach to increasing protective factors and reducing the harm associated with substance use in their community.

Youth Voice through Geographic Information Systems to Influence Community Policy

Thomas Ray & Nikhil Patel

This session will highlight the work of youth use of geographic information systems to raise awareness of the impacts of vape shops in their community utilizing location based data, youth photovoice, and storytelling. Learn how youth and adult partnerships along with effective presentation of community level data influenced policy makers in Wake County, North Carolina.

Cannabis & Kids- Addressing the Challenges of Legalization and Youth Access

Michelle Geiser

The presentation aims to shed light on the intricate landscape surrounding the legalization of cannabis and its potential impact on youth. As cannabis becomes increasingly accepted and accessible, concerns regarding underage use and its associated risks have intensified. This session will explore the multifaceted challenges posed by the intersection of cannabis legalization and youth access. Topics covered will include the evolving legal frameworks, public health implications, and social dynamics influencing adolescent cannabis consumption. The presentation will also delve into evidence-based strategies for prevention, education, and community engagement, providing stakeholders with practical insights to navigate this complex terrain responsibly. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this session seeks to foster a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and empower attendees with the knowledge to proactively address the challenges posed by the coexistence of cannabis legalization and youth exposure.

The Esperanza Academy: Prevention Through HOPE

Jim Albright & Carlos Valera

Esperanza Academy is an after-school tutoring and social/emotional learning program for English Learner (EL) newcomers in Alamance County. These students, who are “in a race against time” as described by Carlos Valera, the Multi-Language Newcomers Specialist, are provided an opportunity to supplement their insufficient EL time within the school day in a safe, nurturing, learning environment. Esperanza, which means “Hope” in Spanish, is defined as a “desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment”. Hope is the foundation of this innovative program which supports students and their families who have limited English proficiency with protective factors that will enhance their current and future quality of life.

Working with Community Partners to Find the Stories Behind the Numbers (tentative, may be changed)

Deeanna Hale-Holland, Gayane Chambless, Vidya Kasthuri, Jessica Fowler

This session will take a look at three separate communities across North Carolina and the various strategies they used to work with community partners to identify needs, outcomes, and impact. Examples of how relationships were developed and fostered that increase access to community data resources along with creative strategies that tell the story of the people behind these numbers will be shared. This session will highlight how the numbers and the stories may be told very differently, but they each create powerful images that inspire change.

The role of Substance misuse prevention when working with youth with identified ACES.

Kelli Knapp

This presentation explores the critical role substance misuse prevention can play when working with youth with identified ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences). Providing substance misuse prevention services to youth with ACES, can help the youth develop protective factors that may prevent them from engaging in substance misuse to cope with their situation. It provides them with a strong foundation to positively address the issue at hand and prevents them from developing harmful habits that can have devastating consequences.

Statewide Provider Success Stories

In this session, statewide providers will share examples of successes, tools, and tips for stakeholder engagement. Attendees will walk away from this session with actionable strategies to implement in their own prevention work.

Speakers: LaTasha Murray, Derrick Vickers, Dr. Wanda Boone, Tiffany Moon, Mark Pilon, Callie Kelly, and LaMara Chandler