When you think of youth-led prevention, what comes to mind? If it’s a youth group eating pizza, watching movies, and staying out of “trouble,” then you may be pleasantly surprised. Youth-led prevention groups assess local data then choose and implement strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use in their communities. Youth-led prevention is grounded in prevention science and one of the most effective strategies to prevent youth substance use and promote mental health wellness.

Ohio boasts a robust interlocking system that supports youth-led prevention groups AND the adult allies who provide them with prevention science and technical support. Youth-led prevention groups like the Bringing Awareness To Students (BATS) group in Springfield, Ohio are proving that they are changemakers in their community. Not only are these youth leaders making a difference among their peers, but they are also being recognized by community leaders and invited to the table as full partners to share the youth voice.

Prevention Action Alliance (PAA) coordinates the Ohio’s Youth-Led Prevention Network Youth Council which consists of members who are involved in their local youth-led groups. Each year, Youth Council members apply to be a part of the state youth council and, if chosen, begin their year by analyzing data and creating a statewide strategic plan. The rest of their year is focused on implementing the plan which includes monthly meetings to plan the We Are The Majority™ rally, meet with state legislatures to advocate for youth-led prevention and the promotion of mental health wellness, empower teens through the state and promote protective factors among their peers to prevent drug use.

Geena Crosby began her youth-led prevention career as a high school student in her local Youth-to-Youth group and joined PAA this year to lead the Youth Council. “What’s been great is to come full circle from a youth leader to an Adult Ally. These youth are incredibly bright and passionate. They have a commitment to social justice and inclusivity that intersects the work they do to prevent substance misuse and promote mental health wellness.”

While youth are the cornerstone of youth-led prevention, adult allies play a key role in supporting them. The Ohio Adult Allies (OAA) is a diverse network of adults who are committed to facilitating and advancing the work of youth-led programs. OAA is facilitated by a leadership team from Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services, Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and PAA. They have a network of Regional Learning Collaboratives led by experienced adult allies who provide quarterly learning opportunities for adult allies with a focus on how they can support and empower local youth leaders.

Creating the future they want to live in, youth leader’s work entails so much more than a pizza party.

The Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word use performance poetry as a tool to create a healthier future. In honor of Black History Month, we are re-sharing a video of The Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word performance at the 2021 Prevention Action and Advocacy Summit on Racism. We continue to be inspired by this group of talented young people, led by Honey Bell-Bey, OCPS, Poet Laureate of Cleveland.

Peter Walsh, the President of Columbus Temperature Control Company, is in his second term of serving on the Prevention Action Alliance Board of Directors. In addition to keeping the greater Columbus area warm in winter and cool in summer, the father of four is very active in his community of Upper Arlington, Ohio.

Marci Seidel, the executive director at the time, invited me to lunch. She convinced me to join the board, and probably to pay for lunch as well. Marci recently retired but left the organization with terrific leadership.

Once I had an understanding of the value of prevention, I was on board. The message of prevention needs to be told.

It was a selfish act on my part. My wife and I have four children and I wanted to know as much as possible in order to protect them.

I am actually thinking about fishing.

Apathy may be the greatest challenge faced by prevention. It seems most people don’t give prevention the value it deserves until they are negatively affected by something. Our greatest opportunity is education. Prevention is more effective than victim blaming or law enforcement. We need a broader understanding of this simple message.

We provide resources and a voice to the dozens and dozens of local coalitions and other organizations who are fighting substance abuse and addiction.

I was an advisory member for a local community group, The Stand Project, that was started by a friend whose son was battling addiction and is now in recovery. One brave family spoke up and planted a seed that is still growing in our community. PAA was supportive from the very beginning.

I’ve gotten an education in prevention while working with some amazing people. I’ve learned something from each individual that I’ve worked with.

Melissa Cole joined Prevention Action Alliance this year to serve as the prevention coordinator for school-based services, where her role will involve expanding the utilization of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health Evidence-Based Prevention Curriculums across the state of Ohio. She will also help facilitate the expansion of the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network (OLYPN).Prior to joining PAA, Melissa worked in community mental health in Substance Use Disorders Treatment and Prevention. She spent over 15 years serving as a school-based prevention service provider, community-based prevention coordinator, and prevention team supervisor.

Melissa had the privilege to mentor over a dozen student interns during her time as a prevention team leader, many of whom continued in the field. She also served as the president, then vice-president of her local ADAMHS board. Melissa is an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist, a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor.

Melissa lives in Cincinnati where she enjoys spending time with her family, singing, baking, and making arts and crafts. Her absolute favorite past time, however, is making people laugh. Melissa is excited to join PAA’s staff and is eager to use her years of experience as a school-based prevention service provider to help expand prevention efforts for youth and young adults across the state.

Patrick McFadden (he/him) joined Prevention Action Alliance as the Communications & Training Manager in 2022, leaving his business as a Communications Consultant. His desire to make a meaningful impact on his community and his home state fueled this decision.

At Prevention Action Alliance, Patrick has a hand in almost all segments of the business – advising and fulfilling marketing, advertising, public relations, training, and communication project goals.

Previously, Patrick’s work has spanned many areas including corporate, government, higher education, and small business all focusing on communications. He is experienced in many facets of communications including branding, marketing, advertising, social media campaigns, event planning.

Patrick has an M.A. from The University of Illinois, and a B.S. from Ohio University – both in Communication Studies. Patrick enjoys creating and consuming music and art, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.