Prevention Profiles: Take Five with Paul Kesner

The past two decades have seen amazing advancements in technology, science, education, and a major shift in ideology. However, there are always drawbacks. For example, while tobacco use is going down, the vaping issue has quickly filled that space.?And did you know that one tube of a vaping product today can equal about a pack of smoked cigarettes?

We can raise mental health awareness and make drug misuse education more readily available using resources throughout the country. The main resources we need to use are time and education. Time for teachers to educate their students on the dangers of misusing drugs. Time for colleagues to help each other find ways to relieve stress and sort out their mental health that does not include dangerous activities. Time for friends to warn each other that buying fake pills on social media can cause death.

Paul Kesner, recently retired from the U.S. Department of Education, is this month's guest on Prevention Profiles: Take Five. During the interview, Paul reflects on his career serving in both higher education and the federal government. He discusses the changes in drug issues over the years, the issues in K-12 that are having an impact on students now entering college, and more.

Read the transcript or listen to our podcast to discover how recent years have affected students? mental health and how we must look to the past to change our approach to drug misuse prevention.

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