Even though some early morning severe weather kept some folks at home, the rain and cool winds couldn’t dampen the spirits of the record number of attendees at the sixth-annual Alabama Substance Abuse Youth Summit.
More than 400 state and local government agency representatives, law enforcement officers, healthcare and social workers, educators, court officials, child advocates and professional service providers attended the one-day professional development conference. Alabama SAYS’ mission is to have decision-makers and service providers working together in order to forge partnerships, and develop strategies that better protect Alabama’s youth.
Nationally recognized drug education expert Officer Jermaine Galloway, better known as the “Tall Cop Says Stop,” was the keynote speaker. Alabama legislators Senator Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, Representative Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville and Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Centre participated in a discussion panel. Maxwell Air Force Base’s Chief of Innovation Development Bill DeMarco provided the group ways leadership techniques and ways to re-energize. And, John Langdon, a recovering alcohol and drug abuser, shared his story about regaining the will to live.
The SAYS conference is offered free of charge, and offers attendees the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Legal Education Units (CLEs) to attendees.
The Alabama Substance Abuse Youth Summit is made possible by a generous grant from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association.