Session 1: 9:15am - 10:30am

A. Pharmacy of the Streets - Part 1

B. Current Marijuana Policies for Elected
Officials and Community Stakeholders

C. Secondary Trauma Stress

D. Think Outside the Couch with Corporate
Counseling: Universal Alloy Corporation’s
Proactive Mental Health Initiative

Session 2: 10:45am - 12:00pm

A. Pharmacy Of The Streets - Part 2

B. Leveraging Local Policy: Tackling
Addiction And Substance Use In Our
Community Through Zoning

C. Roles of Schools and Communities in
Promoting Youth Resilience

D. One Pill Can Kill: Fentanyl/Xylazine

E. Shifting the Conversation: Emotional
Intelligence an Innovative Approach
to Prevention

session 3: 1:45pm - 3:00pm

A. Social Determinants and Risk Factors
Contributing to Veterans Suicide

B. Risk and Protective Factors Impacting
Substance Use

C. Taking Care of Your Mental Wellness

D. Understanding Trauma and Post
Traumatic Stress Responses

opening Plenary Session

8:00AM-9:00AM

Presenter:
Dr. Paula Bloom
Clinical Psychologist, Kaiser Permanente

Lunch Plenary Session

12:15PM-1:30PM

Presenter:
Kim Jones
Executive Director, NAMI Georgia

closing Plenary Session

3:15PM-4:15PM

Presenter:
Jeff Breedlove
Strategic Policy Advisor, Georgia Council for Recovery

Introduction and Comments:
Nadine Psareas
Founder/CEO Hopedealers Worldwide, Inc.

Pharmacy of the Streets Part 1

The adverse effects of illicit drug use have been well-documented. Methamphetamines destroy your teeth, cocaine can cause convulsions, and smoking marijuana irritates the respiratory tract. These short-term consequences pale in comparison, though, to the ultimate price that drug users often pay — a life that’s cut short by substance misuse. Indeed, there is an inversely proportional relationship between drug use and life expectancy, proving that recovery is often a matter of life and death. This presentation will discuss the impact on the American lifestyle by a specific list of current drugs. The list of various over the counter (OTC) herbal and pharmaceutical products will include kratom, methamphetamine, xylazine, delta 8 THC, delta 9 THC, delta 10 THC, and Wasp dope. These compounds are known as “gas station drugs “and their pharmacological profiles include dangerous adverse drug effects on human growth and development. The discussion will also include information on America’s # 1 gas station drug: alcohol and the latest “new” street drugs-nitazenes and medetomidine.

Learning Objectives:
-Develop a vocabulary of the current herbal and pharmaceutical drugs known as the gas station drugs.
-Gain an understanding of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of alcohol, Kratom, Ketamine, Delta 8 THC, Delta 9 THC, Delta 10 THC, nitazenes, medetomidine, Xylazine, and Wasp Dope.
-Comprehend the severe adverse drug effects of alcohol, Kratom, Ketamine, medetromidine, Methamphetamine, nitazenes, Delta 8 THC, Delta 9 THC, Delta 10 THC, Xylazine, and Wasp Dope when it comes to growth and development.

Presenter:
Dr. Merrill Norton Pharm.D., D.Ph., CMAC, CCS

Think Outside the Couch, with Corporate Counseling:  Universal Alloy Corporation’s Proactive Mental Health Initiative

In today’s demanding work world, employee mental health and well-being have become a priority area in creating and maintaining a thriving workforce. Hear from the UAC Human Resource Administrator and the company’s on-site Corporate Counselor, how they are supporting employees with their initiative. With benefits on both sides, they are building a healthier, happier, and more engaged workforce.

Presenters:
Amy Leatherman
HR Administrator, UAC

Christy Cushing
Counselor, Price Counseling

Pharmacy of the Streets Part 2

This is a continuation of Session 1, ‘Pharmacy of the Streets Part 1’. See Session 1 for details.

Presenter:
Dr. Merrill Norton Pharm.D., D.Ph., CMAC, CCS

Roles of Schools and Communities in Promoting Youth Resilience

We are in the midst of a crisis in youth mental health; however, we need to remember that the word “crisis” implies both risk and opportunity. Resilience is the process of adapting to and recovering from difficult life circumstances – and emphasizes the “opportunity” side of things. This session will explore the factors that contribute to resilience in youth mental health and the role of schools and communities in promoting it.

Presenter:
Gabriel Kuperminc, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology and Public Health, Department of Psychology
Georgia State University

Leveraging Local Policy: Tackling Addiction and Substance Use In Our Community Through Zoning

The session will provide expert input, strategic analysis, and proven methodologies into how local policies can be enacted to protect residents from harmful businesses that promote addictive substances. The session will share insights and lessons learned on how planning, stakeholder engagement, and understanding of local zoning powers, leads to a collaborative effort to crafting effective regulations for local communities.

Presenter:
Ben Song
Community Development Director, City of Johns Creek

One Pill Can Kill: FENTANYL/XYLAZINE

DEAs mission is to help raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in fake pills that are mass-produced by criminal dug networks in labs, deceptively marketed as legitimate prescription pills, and are killing unsuspecting Americans at an alarming rate.

Along with educating the public of the dangers of counterfeit pills, DEA also urges all Americans to take only medications prescribed by a medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

Presenter:
Wanda Wiggins
Community Outreach Specialist, Drug Enforcement Administration

Shifting the Conversation: Emotional Intelligence an Innovative Approach to Prevention

This interactive presentation will transition from a traditional focus on what should be eliminated, characterized by the interventionists or society stating, "drugs can hurt you" and "drugs are hurting you," which emphasizes external control and a deficit perspective. Instead, the discussion will center on what individuals need to initiate or enhance, particularly for those who have not used drugs, have experimented, are misusing, or are addicted to prevent disease or further disease. The emphasis will be on developing emotional intelligence (EI) through growing and manifesting self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. EI is the foundation to everything PREVENTION and influences all areas of life, including personal mental and physical health, work, and personal relationships. The presentation will utilize facilitative presentation methodology where participants are encouraged to engage at their own pace and comfort level. It will aim to enhance personal and interpersonal skills, enabling providers to care for themselves effectively, serve others, respond to cultural needs, and exemplify resilience. Ultimately, the workshop seeks to equip attendees with practical attitudes, skills, and tools applicable in both personal and professional contexts throughout the prevention continuum related to EI.

Presenter:
John Bringuel
Prevention / Intervention Program Manager, The Council on Alcohol and Drugs

risk and protective factors impacting substance use

Risk and Protective Factors impact substance use, school dropout, violence, gang interaction, and many other areas that our youth must navigate. Understanding how these factors can be addressed within 6 domains supports a cross-sectional approach to youth development.

Presenters:
Ester Lopez
Assistant Director of Prevention / Intervention The Council on Alcohol and Drugs

Carmen Caldwell
Founder and CEO, Life Fulfilled Coaching & Consulting

Social Determinants and Risk Factors contributing to Veteran Suicide

This presentation focuses on Veteran Mental Health Suicide Prevention Awareness, highlighting the Social Determinants and Risk Factors contributing to Veteran Suicide, with a special emphasis on Rural Communities. We will explore the unique challenges Veterans face, identify key protective factors, and discuss strategies to address these issues at local, state, and national levels to improve mental health outcomes for out Veterans.

Presenters:
Corey Ashmore, Veteran's Administration
Britt Parramore, Pathlight Counseling

Taking Care of Your Mental Wellness

Many of us have jobs where we take care of others and help them live their best lives, which can take a toll on our lives. So, how do we continue to do it? We must incorporate our own healthy habits and practices into our lives to ensure that we thrive so we can do the best work possible. This session will explore the aspects of wellness, develop a self-care plan, and learn how to incorporate wellness into our lives. 

Presenter:
Michael Davis
Associate Executive Director, GUIDE

Understanding Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Responses

Participants will have a better understanding of the origin of trauma, types of stress responses, strategies to reduce the likelihood that PTSD will develop, concept of post-traumatic growth, six principles of trauma informed care, treatment options and resources for trauma and PTSD.

Presenter:
Carissa Dingwall, LPC
Supervisor, Behavioral Health Services Northside-Cherokee Hospital