With nearly 200 professionals in attendance and the support of 16 partner organizations, the 13th Annual National Prevention Summit was an incredible success! Held over two dynamic days at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, 14 national leaders delivered powerful insights, research, and practical tools to strengthen prevention efforts nationwide.
Drug Free America Foundation’s Executive Director, Amy Ronshausen, opened the summit with welcoming remarks, setting the tone for two days of collaboration and action. She was followed by keynote speaker Kevin A. Sabet, PhD, who delivered his powerful presentation, “One Nation Under the Influence: America’s Drug Habit and How We Can Overcome it.”
Science, Policy, and Lived Experience
Day one set a powerful tone, bringing together national experts, researchers, coalition leaders, and recovery advocates to address today’s most pressing substance use challenges.
Dr. Kevin A. Sabet challenged attendees to examine America’s evolving drug landscape and outlined actionable, prevention-first strategies to reverse harmful trends. His message underscored the importance of data-driven policy, community engagement, and sustained prevention efforts.
Building on the science of prevention, Dr. Crystal Collier delivered an inspiring session on brain-based prevention, equipping attendees with practical tools to help youth strengthen executive functioning, protect developing brains, and empower parents and schools with neuroscience-informed strategies.
After lunch, Kathleen Roberts and Elizabeth Nettles of the Community Coalition Alliance explored the theme “Legal But Lethal,” sharing findings from an environmental scan examining the products currently found in convenience stores and gas stations, many of which are marketed in ways that appeal to youth. Their presentation highlighted how packaging, placement, and promotion of intoxicating hemp products and other emerging substances can normalize use and target young consumers.
To bring the issue to life, they displayed real-world products collected during their scan throughout the Summit, allowing attendees to see firsthand how these items are marketed and sold in everyday retail settings.
Dr. Lora Peppard introduced the Health Promoting Relationships Toolkit, emphasizing the protective power of strong relationships and system-wide prevention strategies that address behavioral health at multiple levels.
The afternoon transitioned into powerful storytelling and stigma reduction. Dr. Kristin Kosyluk, Mykenzie King, and Freya O’Reilly-Brookes presented Healing Through Art: A PhotoVoice Project, showcasing how lived experience and research intersect to address stigma surrounding opioid use disorder.
Closing the day, recovery advocate Tom Wolf delivered a deeply personal and policy-focused presentation, “Drug Policy From the Street – Why We Need Recovery First!” His lived experience provided a sobering reminder that prevention, treatment, accountability, and recovery must work together.
The day concluded with closing remarks, followed by a networking reception and the Healing Through Art PhotoVoice Gallery, where attendees engaged directly with the stories behind the images, further reinforcing the Summit’s commitment to compassion, evidence, and community-driven solutions.
Innovation, Recovery, and Protecting the Next Generation
Day two of the Summit focused on innovation, lived experience, and forward-thinking prevention strategies, highlighting how communities can respond to emerging drug trends while strengthening recovery and resilience.
The morning began with the launch of Inclusive Recovery Communities of Tampa Bay (IRCTB), marking an exciting step forward in building recovery-supportive ecosystems across the region. This press event underscored the Summit’s commitment not only to prevention, but to long-term recovery and community collaboration.
Nationally recognized neuroscientist Dr. Bertha K. Madras delivered a powerful session on “Countering Drug Myths: Marijuana and Psychedelics.” Drawing on decades of research and policy experience, she addressed misinformation surrounding marijuana and emerging psychedelics, reinforcing the importance of science-driven education and prevention messaging.
Shifting to the human dimension of prevention, Dave Closson, MS, explored “The Hidden Driver: How Moral Injury and Trauma Shape Substance Use—and What Prevention Can Do About It.” His session emphasized that effective prevention must address trauma, leadership, and systems change—reminding attendees that prevention is relational and personal.
During the afternoon sessions, lived experience and systems-level perspectives took center stage. Boomer Rose shared his powerful journey in “Homeless and Addicted to Hope and Advocacy,” demonstrating how innovation, technology, and resilience can transform recovery pathways.
Michael Katz provided a unique frontline perspective in “Cannabis – A Code Enforcement Perspective,” highlighting the real-world public safety challenges associated with illegal marijuana operations and the importance of coordinated community response.
The Summit concluded with Louise Montag’s forward-looking presentation, “The Algorithm of Prevention: Protecting the Next Generation from Digital Risks.” Her session explored how digital environments influence youth behavior and how prevention professionals can proactively address emerging online risks.
Day two closed with renewed energy, collaboration, and a clear message: prevention must evolve alongside emerging drug trends, digital influences, and community realities while remaining grounded in science, compassion, and recovery.
Networking & Vendor Table Bingo
With the Summit in full swing, attendees connected with colleagues from across the country and engaged with our diverse vendor partners through an interactive Vendor Table Bingo activity, designed to spark meaningful conversations, highlight innovative resources, and strengthen collaboration across the prevention field.
Thank you Event Supporters
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The conversations, research, and collaboration that filled this year’s Summit do not end here. They continue through Drug Free America Foundation’s educational initiatives, youth prevention programs, community partnerships, and national advocacy efforts.
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