2026 PreventEd Spring Awards Luncheon

Join us on April 24th to celebrate the people making a difference in the field of substance use in our community.

The Spring Awards Luncheon has been an annual event since 1975, ten years after the agency came to be. Purchase your tickets today!

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PrevenTable: A PreventEd Podcast

Pull up a seat at the PrevenTable and listen to candid conversations about the intersection of alcohol, drugs, and mental health in everyday lives.

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Latest Episode

Season 6, Episode 3

Staying Connected

Natalie Garrett, Director of Admissions and Outreach at Harris House Foundation, joins Jenny to discuss how Harris House supports individuals across the full continuum of care in recovery. They explore the organization’s programs, the importance of staying connected throughout the recovery journey, and the challenges posed by today’s insurance landscape. The conversation also highlights the value of honesty and having difficult conversations with loved ones—while emphasizing that hope remains at the heart of recovery and positive outcomes are always possible.

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Season 3, Episode 13

Behind the Scenes

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Former NCADD Director of Affiliate Relations Leah Brock sits down at the PrevenTable to share her experience of working for the organization for 30 years. Leah and Nichole discuss the history of NCADD, the importance of relationship building, and the balance of maintaining the integrity of their mission while still continuing to grow and evolve with the times.

Season 2, Episode 11

Selling Hope for Free

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What happens to a child when their parent is incarcerated? The idea for 4 Walls & Beyond came to Lisa Porter, Founder & CEO, 18 years ago when she was incarcerated in Vandalia Women’s Prison. She discusses the challenges of parenting behind bars and how her organization helps strengthen the parent-child relationship. Lisa is joined by Otis Lumpkin, Chief Financial Officer, whose lived experience drew him to the mission.

Season 2, Episode 10

Freedom on the Other Side of the Storm

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Charlie Backer sits down to discuss sobriety, hot sauce, vulnerabilities and his book, The Sober Impact. He shares how sobriety has shaped him into the man he is today; how he shares his experience and pitfalls with his two kids; and how people, just like ogres, have layers.

Season 2, Episode 9

Knock and Go In

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Therapeutic Consultant, Dr. Russell Hyken, discusses how he navigates teens and their families through residential treatment and beyond. He explains how his time as a high school principal led him to his current role working within family systems. . . including his own.

This Is Not Mine

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KSHE 95 Radio Host, Lauren “Lern” Elwell, pops across the hall to discuss how she prioritizes her mental health and why she chooses to use her platform to support others. Lern talks setting boundaries and how the relationship between “Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll” has evolved.

Resident-First

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Matt Bauersachs, founder of Learn to Live Recovery, describes his path to creating an innovative step-down program for males in long-term recovery. Hear how this extended care model provides a safety net for the residents by building relationships, teaching skills, and instilling knowledge.

Space for Connection

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Luka Cai, co-founder of SQSH, joins the PrevenTable to talk about the unique, non-hierarchical role that peer counselors play in supporting LGBTQIA+ community members, the importance of relationship building, and working towards a St. Louis region where people of all genders and sexualities live with power, safety, and dignity.

Helping People is Pretty Neat

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School Counselor Chris Allen emphasizes the need for prevention programs and support services in rural communities and talks about what it’s really like to work with teens today. He notes that while cannabis use, anxiety disorders, and suicide are prevalent, the power of peers can address these challenges head-on.

B.S. GPS

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Are you working to disrupt the system and be an ally for BIPOC individuals? Do you have a friend that challenges you and pushes you to be better? Vontriece McDowell talks about why it’s important to ask the tough questions of each other, be intentional about the relationships we develop, and call out the B.S.

Season 2, Episode 8

Hold On Pain Ends

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What do the construction industry and suicide have in common? Unfortunately, a lot. The suicide rate in the construction industry is 3x-5x times higher than the national average. Bo Cooper, Alberici Safety Director, and Brandon Anderson, Vice President of Safety for the Association of General Contractors stop by to discuss this and how they are tackling it head-on because everyone needs some HOPE in their lives.

Change + Capacity = Activism

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How can we redefine norms around mental health in immigrant communities? Dr. Min Liu (Professor of Communication at SIUE) and the student members of the Asian American Civic Scholars are tackling this important question, conversation by conversation. Hear how they are bringing resources like Teen Mental Health First Aid- and creating their own- to their schools, parents, and grandparents to create positive change and save lives.

Our Secrets Keep Us Sick

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The conversation continues with bestselling author of The Addiction Inoculation, Jessica Lahey. She advocates for frequent, fact-based dialogue about drugs, beginning in pre-K and continuing through college and shares how she creates the space for convos with her kids.