Dr. Crystal Collier, a renowned expert in addiction and brain development, shares her inspiring journey and discusses her groundbreaking program, "Know Your Neuro." She empowers parents, educators, and youth with the knowledge to protect and nurture their brain health, providing valuable insights and practical tips for improving well-being. The conversation explores the impact of risky behavior on the brain and highlights the importance of understanding and supporting neurodevelopment at every stage.Episode Links:https://drcrystalcollier.com/ https://knowyourneuro.org/ www.neurowhereaboutsguide.com https://www.facebook.com/drcrystalcollier https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-collier-phd-lpc-s-657191105/ https://www.instagram.com/instaccollier/ Podcast: A Playful Approach to Drug Prevention: How to Do Drug Prevention Without Talking About DrugsPodcast: The Biology of Addiction and Recovery: Unpacking the Biological Component of Mental Health and AddictionDrug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In this compelling episode, listeners are welcomed into the world of Chris Ibe, an impassioned advocate dedicated to making a profound impact on the lives of young people in Nigeria and across the globe. Chris shares his personal journey, highlighting his active role in international forums and significant projects like the Global School Intervention Project on Drug and Substance Abuse in Kenya in 2019. His unwavering commitment to empowering the youth shines as he discusses his efforts to provide essential tools and support to help them overcome various challenges, including drug abuse and cybercrime.The conversation also delves into the details of the upcoming National Youth Summit on Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention, scheduled for November 28th and 29th. Chris emphasizes the summit's crucial role as a platform for youth engagement, learning, and collaboration in battling drug and substance abuse. The partnership with WFAD in Gothenburg, Sweden, underscores the global unity necessary for addressing these pressing issues.Key Points:Chris shares his experience attending international forums and his gratitude for the opportunity to impact young lives positively.Chris discusses his involvement in the Global School Intervention Project on Drug and Substance Abuse in Kenya in 2019.Challenges Faced: Chris talks about the challenges young people face, including drug abuse, cybercrime, and lack of opportunities.National Youth Summit: Chris provides information about the National Youth Summit on Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention, which will be held on November 28th and 29th.Partnership with WFAD: The episode highlights the partnership with WFAD based in Gothenburg, Sweden.Building Support System: Chris emphasizes the importance of building a support system and a preventive approach to drug and substance abuse recovery among youth.Call for Support and Partnership: Chris calls for support and partnership from individuals and organizations worldwide to help sustain their initiatives and make a more significant impact.Quotes: “Let our young people be protected. Let our young people be engaged. Let our young people be meaningfully employed.”“We are open for partnership. We want to share experiences. We want to work with you anywhere you are.”Episode Links:https://www.facebook.com/AfricanYouthsInitiativeOnCrimePrevention/https://www.facebook.com/ibe.c.chidiDrug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Shane Varcoe, a leading voice in the world of prevention and resiliency. Ever wondered why some people bounce back from adversity while others struggle? The answer might lie in understanding your 'why.' Shane takes us on a transformative journey, revealing how knowing your 'why' can be a game-changer in life, prevention, and recovery. Plus, get an exclusive first look at World Resiliency Day, an initiative that aims to make resiliency a global conversation. Don't miss this episode if you're looking to build a life of purpose, strength, and resilience!Key Takeaways:The importance of knowing your 'why' and how it can shape your life.The role of resiliency in prevention and recovery.The launch and mission of World Resiliency Day.The impact of culture and leadership on resiliency.How to Get Involved:Visit the World Resiliency Day website and sign up for the newsletter.Share your journey and lived experience to help others.Become a part of the conversation on social media.Episode Links: https://www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au/  https://worldresiliencyday.com.au/resources/ https://www.facebook.com/DalgarnosNBhttps://twitter.com/nobrainer_drugshttps://www.youtube.com/@DalgarnoInstituteEducationinfo@worldresiliencyday.com.au Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In this episode, host Dave Closson interviews Jo Baxter from Drug Free Australia and the Rotary Action Group, Addiction Prevention. They discuss their latest project, a thought-provoking book entitled "Street Drugs, The New Addiction Industry," authored by Elaine Walters. The book sheds light on the addiction industry and its impact, and the episode explores key themes and insights encapsulated within its pages. Jo shares her passion for drug prevention and education and emphasizes the importance of community engagement in tackling addiction challenges.Episode Links:Listen to Jo's previous podcast with us here Rotary Action Group - Addiction Prevention Homepage | Rag AP (rag-ap.org)Drug Free Australia website: www.drugfree.org.au Drug Free Australia's Save Your Brain website: www.saveyourbrain.com.au Dalgarno Institute website: Dalgarno Institute Website - Dalgarno Institute WebsiteDrug Advisory Council of Australia website: Drug Advisory Council Australia | DACARotary Club of Truth or Consequences (New Mexico) -  'Don't Meth with Us' program linkEmail: admin@drugfree.org.auDrug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In this enlightening conversation, Dave sits down with Christopher, a seasoned addiction therapist with over 20 years of experience in the field, who specializes in treating cannabis addiction. They explore the intricacies of addiction, delve into therapeutic approaches that work (and those that don't), and discuss how to enhance the success rate of treatment. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand addiction on a deeper level, particularly those in the healthcare profession or families grappling with the problem.Key Quotes"Addiction is not a problem of the substance but of the individual." - Christopher"The success of treatment depends not just on what we do, but how we do it." - Christopher"We are a role model and what defines whether you are qualified as a role model or not, is how you behave when nobody is looking." - Christopher"Seeing that I have a problem is not a matter of choice or will, it's a capacity in the brain that's not there." - ChristopherChristopher's Links:Website: https://komphash.dk/BooksFacebookLinkedInDrug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In today's insightful episode, we're joined by Sana Ullah Rathore, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in drug demand reduction and the founder of the Pakistan Youth Organization (PYO). Equipped with a Masters in Sociology and an International Certification of Addiction Professional (ICAP), Rathore has implemented numerous projects with international organizations and leads various trainings on substance use disorder.During our discussion, we delve into the work of the Pakistan Youth Organization, particularly their successful initiatives towards youth drug prevention and education. Sana shares the challenges they encountered in their early days and how they expanded their outreach to remote areas through a unique mobile unit project.We talk about the value of collaboration and community support in sustaining these initiatives, as well as the importance of educating the youth and their families about the harms of drugs and providing life skills training.Sana shares some of their notable achievements in collaborating with international organizations, and we talk about the importance of shared knowledge and collective action in drug prevention.This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in community-level interventions for drug prevention, the value of education, and the power of a united front against substance abuse.Highlights:The start and growth of the Pakistan Youth Organization The mobile unit project - bringing services to rural areas The importance of educating the youth and families about the harms of drugs Collaboration with international organizations for knowledge and resource sharing Please listen, share, and join us in the global fight against substance abuse.Episode Link:Pakistan Youth OrganizationDrug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In this episode of the "Pathways 2 Prevention Podcast," host Dave Closson interviews Cristina von Sperling Afridi, founder of the Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF) in Pakistan. KKAWF was launched in 2015 after Cristina and her husband, Ambassador Tariq Khan Afridi, lost their 19-year-old son, Karim, to drug use.Cristina shares insights into the challenges of drug trafficking in the region and how KKAWF is addressing the issue through prevention efforts focused on youth mental health. KKAWF's approach includes a comprehensive model with five main guiding spheres: physical activity, emotional well-being, education, arts and culture, and civic sense.Cristina discusses the importance of getting youth outside and engaged in activities, helping them identify, understand, and manage their emotions, and providing education on the dangers of drug abuse. She also emphasizes the need for civic sense and being a good human being to make the world a better place.The conversation ends with Cristina's advice for listeners: To take care of themselves and to be a positive influence on others. Listeners can learn more about KKAWF and connect with Cristina and her team through their website and social media channels.Episode Links:https://www.kkawf.orghttps://www.facebook.com/kkawf.official/ https://twitter.com/kkawfhttps://www.youtube.com/@kkawfhttps://www.instagram.com/kkawfoundation/Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In this episode, we interview Dr. Michael Mann, an associate professor, Interim Divisional Dean for the School of Public and Population Health, Associate Divisional Dean for Academic, Student, and Faculty Affairs at Boise State University, about the Icelandic model and its impact on youth development. The Icelandic model is a community-based approach to youth development that has seen remarkable success in Iceland and has been adapted by other countries around the world.Dr. Mann explains how the Icelandic model works, the factors that contribute to its success, and the challenges of implementing it in different cultural contexts. He stresses the importance of community involvement and collaboration, sustained attention, and strong institutions for achieving positive outcomes for young people.We also discuss the role of data in the Icelandic model, the importance of communicating data in a way that is accessible to the community, and the need to build a culture of collective action around youth development. Dr. Mann emphasizes the importance of recognizing that some things are so important that we have to work together to make them happen, and that sustaining our collective attention over time is essential for achieving lasting change.Listeners can learn more about the Icelandic model and Planet Youth, the organization that helps to implement it in other countries, in the show notes. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in community-based approaches to youth development and creating strong, supportive communities for young people.Episode Links:https://planetyouth.org/https://www.boisestate.edu/spph Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

Today we are speaking with Anne-Kristin Imenes, Senior counselor/psychologist specialist in Norway. She shared a wonderful program that addresses mental health and life skills called Robust Youth. What is Robust Youth?Robust Youth is a 3-year program in mental health and life skills for youth age 13 – 15 years old in secondary schools in Norway. The teaching has a playful approach to promote the students' wellbeing and sense of belonging. Through structured exercises the students build relations while at the same time training their social-emotional skills. This can happen through developing inner awareness, learning to understand one's own and others' feelings and needs, developing responsibility for others, seeing oneself as part of a larger context and understanding society's complexity. The approach is built on positive psychology and cognitive-behavioral psychology. The exercises and tools are freely available on their website too! Episode Links:What to Know About Delta-8A film on ROBUST YOUTH What is Robust Youth in Norway?  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robustungdom.no Website: www.robustungdom.noContact Anne-Kristin Imenes: https://psykologimenes.no/ Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

Today, we’re talking about the biology of addiction and recovery with Dr. Evelyn Higgins, who is an internationally recognized expert in the epidemiology of addiction and the Founder of Wired For Addiction®. We’ll discuss everything there is to know about interpreting an individual’s physiology in order to make informed treatment decisions based on objective biomarkers.Wired For Addiction® specializes in the biological component of mental health and addiction.  Through their patent-pending custom diagnostic panel and treatment process, they address specific biomarkers highly correlated to substance use disorders, process addictions, and mental health conditions. Coupling genetically informed treatment with the traditional modalities available at treatment facilities allows for long-term recovery of an individual suffering from a bio-psycho-social condition. Going far beyond traditional MAT, functional MRIs (or brain mapping), Wired For Addiction® is truly individual to the unique biochemistry of each patient.Episode Links:www.WiredForAddiction.comSpecializing in the Biology of Recoveryhttps://www.facebook.com/WiredForAddictionhttps://twitter.com/WiredForAddict https://www.instagram.com/wiredforaddiction/ Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In this episode, we’re talking about alcohol prevention with Movendi International, who is the largest independent global movement for development through alcohol prevention. Movendi International’s vision is a life for all human beings free to live up to their fullest potential, and free from harm caused by alcohol and other drugs. It’s a world of peace, democracy and justice where free and healthy citizens actively contribute in all levels of society.We get into some great topics around deconstructing alcohol identities, the alcohol industry, and the platform Sober Youth Hub that is normalizing alcohol free life!Episode Links:Alcohol issues podcasts https://movendi.ngo/ Sober Youth HubMovendi - What We Dohttps://facebook.com/MovendiInthttps://twitter.com/movendi_inthttps://www.instagram.com/movendi_int/  Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

Pease Inn….. A House of Peace and Tranquility for Substance Use and Mental Health DisordersToday we are speaking with Asia Ashraf from Pakistan, who has been serving in the field of drug addiction/mental health disorders treatment and rehabilitation for the last 17 years. Asia received her Masters in Applied Psychology from Punjab University, completed a one-year fellowship in Substance Abuse, Education, Treatment, Policy and Prevention from Virginia Commonwealth University, USA (2015-2016) as a Hubert H. Humphrey Alumna. She is a Global DDR trainer and national trainer UTC for the UNODC and Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program and is internationally certified addiction professional (ICAP-II) from GCCE, Sri Lanka. Asia is currently serving as Director Rehabilitation and Consultant Psychologist at Greenfield Hospital of Psychiatry where she provides counseling, relapse prevention training, capacity building of addiction professionals and orientation sessions for volunteers and mental health trainees. She is also a core team member of Gender Working Group by World Federation against Drugs (WFAD) to specifically address the illicit drug use among women, gender based violence and its correlation with illicit drug use and access to health care, treatment and recovery services for women. Asia is a prevention leader; she launched the first Recovery Club - an open, free, safe space for persons in recovery at Islamabad, Pakistan. She recently founded a virtual platform with the name of Peace Inn, A House of Peace and Tranquility for the treatment and rehabilitation of Substance use and mental health disorders!Asia was gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule to share her story with us all while imparting a great deal of wisdom and lessons learned! It was an honor to speak with her and we hope you enjoy this episode. Episode Links:https://peaceinn.pk/https://www.facebook.com/peaceinn.pk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/asia-ashraf-122478121/ https://instagram.com/peaceinnbyasia?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://colombo-plan.org/ https://www.unodc.org/https://wfad.se/https://www.facebook.com/greenfieldhosphttps://www.instagram.com/greenfieldhospital/Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

TEEN DRUG USE IS NOT INEVITABLE!Teens and the adults that care about them need to know that the One Choice of no use of any alcohol, nicotine, marijuana or other drugs is a realistic goal and that many teens are already making that choice.A study led by the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. analyzed data from the Monitoring the Future study showing for the first time that for three decades a growing percentage of 8th, 10th and 12th graders have made One Choice. In November 2020, an updated study showed that the impressive trend continued. This graph shows long-term trends in the prevalence of 12th graders making One Choice:59% have not used any alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes or other drugs in the past month31% have not used any substances in their lifetimeOur guests today are reframing the goal of substance use prevention as One Choice: no use of any alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or other drugs by youth under age 21 for reasons of health. Episode Links:https://www.ibhinc.org/https://onechoiceprevention.org/https://www.instagram.com/onechoiceyouth/ https://www.facebook.com/OneChoiceYouth Save Your Brain Podcast EpisodeDrug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

Welcome to this special episode of the Pathways 2 Prevention Podcast: We are proud to announce the 14th annual anniversary observance of NATIONAL DRUG-FREE WORK WEEK, OCTOBER 17 - 23, 2022. This yearly public awareness campaign highlights the importance of a drug-free workplace and encourages workers with alcohol and drug problems to seek help.Episode Links:https://www.ndwa.org/resources/national-drug-free-work-week/ https://www.ndwa.org/featured/make-your-drug-free-workplace-recovery-friendly/https://www.ndwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Stigma-in-the-Workplace-One-Pager.pdfhttps://www.ndwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Recovery-and-the-Workplace-One-Pager-101422.pdf https://www.ndwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DFAF_Implications-for-Workplace-One-Pager.pdf  Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

Our guest today is Rima Saade Turk.Rima is currently Executive Director and international relations of Nusroto Al-Anashid Association, using her wide network of social relations spanning across Lebanon and abroad. She is passionate for humanitarian activities, social services, and charitable works. She has 18 years of experience in the service of prisoners, 14 years of experience in the service of people who use drugs, a co-founder member and currently Manager of Drug Rehabilitation Center for Male and Female, and recently co-founder and Manager of Rehab Center for Juveniles referred by the Ministry of Justice. She published drug awareness articles in various newspapers, prepared publications and leaflets on drugs for different age groups, and published on radio and TV prevention and awareness episodes. Rima is a member of the International Board of Directors of the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) representing Asia. She has received the following awards: Miss Elegance 1984 and Lebanon Outstanding Women Award 2012, honoring her outstanding achievements in the social fields, along with trophies from different institutions for her educational and charitable events. She is also a member of Prison Fellowship International and Amnesty International; the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Lebanon. She has attended and participated in many international and national conferences on drugs. She organized and managed many events on drugs especially the Regional Conference, “Drugs: Prevention and Treatment” held in Lebanon in collaboration with WFAD. She is also a soprano and organized and celebrated many charitable concerts.“After a great experience at Nusroto Al- Anashid Association serving the victims of the wide availability of drugs, I had the chance to be elected in the board of WFAD in May 2014 and I was honored to meet Her Majesty the Queen Sylvia of Sweden. This chance encouraged me to continue my mission with enthusiasm. I increased my knowledge and I shared my experience internationally. WFAD realized my desires and opened many doors for me to promote my way and to connect with experts to fight drugs and to be always aware of recent treatments at the global level. Supported by WFAD, I established the Asian Federation Against Drugs gathering all Asian members of WFAD in order to fight drugs according to the need of the continent of Asia.”Episode links:https://nusroto.org/https://www.facebook.com/nusroto/https://www.instagram.com/nusroto/https://wfad.se/Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

The Well has been created and developed by ex-offender, David Higham. David had been in and out of prison since the age of 16 and was a person who used drugs for more than 25 years. But with intensive support from the former Lancaster Castle prison, David began his recovery and has been drug-free for 17 years.David left prison for the last time in 2007. Since then he has dedicated his life to supporting others with alcohol and substance use disorders through both voluntary and paid employment.Seeing a big gap locally in the support for people leaving prison with a substance use disorder, David decided to set up The Well. The first hub was launched in Lancaster in 2012, and a further four sites quickly followed in Lancashire and Cumbria.The Well reflects David’s vision of what recovery services should look like – inclusive, non-judgmental, inspirational and effective. It focuses on peer mentoring as David’s view is that long-term recovery can happen through the therapeutic value of one with a substance use disorder helping another person with substance use disorder. David set up The Well with his own money and with no blueprint to follow. Instead, he used his experience, vision and determination to create what has now become a leading provider of recovery services in the region.Episode Links:https://www.thewellcommunities.co.uk/Life After Prison | UNILAD - Original DocumentaryDrug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

Our guest today is from Drug Free Australia and is here to share a new resource they have created that puts prevention first! It is a new suite of health education modules with a focus on drug use prevention to be used by teachers, parents, school counselors, life coaches, and youth workers. ‘Save Your Brain’ (SYB) is targeted for younger adolescents (in middle school years) to promote an understanding of how the brain develops throughout the early years and into adolescence. In particular, it focuses on the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the brain.  It also looks at protective factors to give teens the 'tools' to be able to negotiate anti-social requests in peer pressure situations.Episode Links:Home | Save Your BrainFeedback Form | Save Your BrainDrug Free AustraliaHomepage | Rag AP (rag-ap.org)Drug Free America Foundation Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

You know as well as we do, that in this increasingly challenging world, it takes a lot of effort to educate and empower children who belong to the marginalized, unrecognized and ignored segments. Our guest’s work has succeeded in creating socially responsive, self-reliant communities that work together to create safe environments for children as well as sustainable change through collective participation.They catalyze social change by innovating and piloting model solutions that Governments and implementing agencies can replicate using our technical knowledge, in-depth understanding of the challenges and unique insights gleaned from fifteen years of dedicated work.In Kerala, through Project VENDA, they have educated and empowered over 120,000 children to say a form “NO” to drugs and help them make responsible choices using a range of well-planned initiatives, which have been recognized by the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) as the best practice for evidence-based intervention. By 2024, they will positively impact the lives of half a million students in Kerala.Episode Links:Project Venda websiteProject Venda FacebookProject Venda InstagramProject Venda YouTubeDrug Free America Foundation LinksWebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

In this month's episode, we talk with Mr. Dandy Yela, the World Federation Against Drugs DRC Country Representative about their Sober Youth Project. Stigmatisation and discrimination of persons who use substances is still an issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its capital city, Kinshasa. This is the case of youngsters, such as members of urban youth gangs – the kulunas. They are facing rejection and social exclusion and are being singled out, leading to urban violence and insecurity in Kinshasa neighborhoods. Unfortunately, DRC public services approach based on repression to fight this phenomenon has produced counterproductive consequences. It was more than necessary to develop a social approach focusing on prevention strategies to tackle the kuluna phenomenon while combatting drug use among this vulnerable social group.Breaking cycles of violence should include appropriate psychosocial support strategies, including the reinforcement and restoration of family relations and social support mechanisms at community and society levels to support social inclusion and reintegration. Thus, to bring an appropriate response to the Kuluna phenomenon, WFAD has developed a three-year project that focuses particularly on mental health and psychosocial support services, including parental support groups. It offers recovery support, a socio-economic reintegration component, facilitating hope, reintegration, and sustainability of change among participants.The Sober Youth project was officially launched in December 2020 and has already achieved tangible and visible results, such as mental and psychosocial support leading to the withdrawal from drugs and other psychoactive substances for almost 600 young people to date. Currently, the implementing partners are busy working on empowering all these young beneficiaries through jobs creation, trainings and income-generating activities.Besides this, impacts on communities are evident with significant contributions to peace in families and social groups. The youth jobs were created fighting poverty and have made drinking water available to nearly 100,000 inhabitants in the municipalities of Makala, Selembao, and Kinshasa.World Federation Against Drugs WebsiteDrug Free America Foundation Links WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

This month's guest is Carlton Hall, the Tony Robbins of community change. Join us as we discuss how the coalition model and Carlton's unique LEAD training system is applied domestically and abroad.Carlton Hall is the President and CEO of Carlton Hall Consulting LLC, a multi-faceted, full-service consulting firm designed to provide customized solutions and enable measurable change for communities, organizations, families and individuals. Carlton spent twelve years with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) serving in several leadership positions and including most recently, Acting Vice President, Training Operations, and Acting Director for CADCA's National Coalition Institute, responsible for the day to day operational oversight, design, and implementation of its premiere national training delivery system. Carlton also supported CADCA's International Programs in partnership with the US State Department's International Narcotics Law Enforcement division (INL), managing training programs in Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana. Carlton is one of the primary architects of CADCA's National Coalition Academy. The Academy, a year-long coalition development program, is designed to increase the effectiveness of communities in drug demand reduction producing population level outcomes.