More than 450 registered attendees representing 150-plus organizations experienced a full day of networking and heard from substance abuse experts, State of Alabama legislators and individuals who have a vested interest to protect the health and wellbeing of youth in the state.
The 2025 Alabama Substance Abuse Youth Summit held its fifth program at Frazer Church located in Montgomery May 6. The program featured dynamic speakers such as leadership consultant Nicole Pinkham and Johnny’s Ambassadors Youth THC Prevention CEO Laura Stack who lost a son to the negative effects of using the highly potent THC product commonly known as dab.
Dr. Sue Rusche, former president and CEO of National Families in Action, revealed that half of American adults that struggle with substance use disorders began using drugs before the age of 21. The audience also heard from a legislative panel including: State Senator Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile; Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster; and State Representative Andy Whitt, R-Ardmore. The panel discussed a variety of legislation from vaping, CBD, THC and a newly marketed substance with high potential for abuse among children – galaxy gas (nitrous oxide).
The 2025 installment also included two young ladies of distinction – 2025 Miss America Abbie Stockard and Miss Alabama’s Teen 2024 Ali Mims. Both presentations covered a wide variety of issues high school and college students face today including the isolation many students experience that comes from over exposure to social media, vaping addiction and ways to encourage youth to live healthy lives.
Below are links to speakers PowerPoint presentations.
Sue Rusche
Alabama SAYS is made possible by a grant from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association.