At PreventEd, we lead the conversation on alcohol and other drugs.

Our work prevents the harms of alcohol and other drug use through education, intervention and advocacy.

A Little About Us

Our People

Racial Equity

Vision & Mission

We describe ourselves as a little quirky with a lot of energy, but when it comes down to it, that’s because we’re passionate about Prevention Education and we know how to make it fun and accessible for every age and every life stage.

View Our People

We realize that becoming an anti-racist organization is a lofty goal. But our staff are scrappy and determined. We set ridiculously high goals and then we move mountains to achieve them. This isn’t a trend, and it’s not a knee-jerk reaction to satisfy funders or some disgruntled staff. This work is the right thing to do and it’s long overdue.

View Racial Equity

Vision: PreventEd will be the preeminent agency working toward a community free of alcohol and other drug addiction, misuse, and related problems.

Mission: PreventEd works to reduce or prevent the harms of alcohol and other drug use through education, intervention and advocacy.

Our History

2020

2014

1980

1980

1965

NCADA Becomes PreventEd

With over 50 years experience, formerly under the name NCADA, PreventEd is committed to guiding all people through tough conversations around alcohol and other drugs. This work is rooted in experience, knowledge of best practices and evidence-informed programs.

Development of the GuidEd Program

Formerly known as the Transitional Counseling Program, GuidEd was created as an early intervention program for teens who don’t need treatment, but are beginning to develop the early signs of substance misuse.

The Beginning of Prevention Education

PreventEd’s central focus in programming is K-12, in-school prevention education. These programs were started in 1980 with the hiring of “The Princess of Prevention,” Harriet Kopolow. They have since been a cornerstone in the organization’s mission to prevent substance misuse and substance use disorder in Eastern Missouri.

The First Teen Institute

In conjunction with in-school prevention education is PreventEd’s youth leadership programming. Teen Institute empowers local teens to provide peer-to-peer prevention education and emerge as leaders in their friend groups, schools, and communities. 

PreventEd Begins as NCA

Founded in 1965, PreventEd was originally a regional chapter of the National Council on Alcoholism. The mission was to change the stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder and help those struggling to find recovery. This idea remains central in PreventEd’s Assessment and Referral program, community strategy, advocacy efforts, and public health campaigns.

Our work is possible because of the focus and dedication of our partners.

Awards

Funders

PreventEd has been proudly recognized by regional and national awards.

2020 – A St. Louis Post-Dispatch Top Workplace every year since 2013

2019 – FOCUS St. Louis, “What’s Right with the Region” Award

2019 – The Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis, “Top Place for Women to Work”

2018 – FBI, Director’s Community Leadership Award

2018 and 2013 – Better Business Bureau of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois, TORCH Award

2013 – Recognized by The Archway Chapter of LINKS for excellence in providing educational services to African-American youth

2012 – The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Outstanding Community Prevention Effort Award

The United Way of Greater St. Louis classifies PreventEd as a full member agency that meets all quality assurance standards.

Our funders make our work possible. We couldn’t do what we do without:

Franklin County Community Resource Board

Missouri Division of Behavioral Health

Missouri Foundation For Health

Saint Louis Mental Health Board

Saint Louis County Children’s Service Fund

United Way of Greater Saint Louis

 

Stay up on what’s happening at PreventEd.

We’re a reliable resource to turn to for information, tools, and programs to help you navigate the harms of alcohol and other drug use.

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