Kelly Juleson and Roland Harmon, co-presidents of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, recently answered some questions about their organization’s mission and efforts to educate and mentor young people about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
1) Prevention is part of your organization’s name. What does prevention mean to you and the people you serve?
Prevention and partnership are linked together in our name. We know that prevention is possible by linking together multiple agencies, sectors, and stakeholders. Our focus is youth substance use prevention; we know that substance use can have a negative impact on so many aspects of a person’s life from health concerns to mental health issues to dependency. Prevention is about taking proactive steps, having meaningful conversations with loved ones, and doing things such as safely disposing of unused or expired medications, all of which foster healthier communities.
2) What have you learned about prevention during the organization’s 36 years?
Over the past 36 years, we’ve learned that prevention works. Prevention programs can reduce the number of people who later struggle with substance use disorder, which, in turn, lowers the need for costly treatment and intervention services later on.
3) We are still experiencing an opioid overdose epidemic. What current programs or initiatives are most significant to you right now?
Our Prevention Starts with You TM initiative distributed almost 60,000 drug deactivation kits in 2024, effectively removing more than 2.6 million drugs from circulation, and we’re launching a direct mail campaign to 50,000 homes a year over the next five years to enhance awareness of substance use and prevention.
We are part of a much larger prevention network in the state funded through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services called the Resource Links. Our seamless collaboration is what’s making a difference.
4) What kind of partnerships do you have with the government and the private sector?
We were created as a public-private partnership to address the negative impact drugs and alcohol were having on the workforce. Nearly 40 years later, business and government are still coming together to make investments to address substance use. We work with at least 50 companies on an annual basis to bring prevention to the communities where their employees and customers live and work.
5) You will be testifying before the legislature this week. What is the most important thing you want lawmakers to know about your prevention initiatives, why they are working and why they need to continue?
Connecticut’s drug overdoses dropped by an estimated 16.4% in 2024, thanks to innovative, evidence-based prevention efforts. With support from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, programs like ours play a key role in these upstream solutions—saving lives and resources. From training educators and youth professionals to empowering young leaders through the Youth Advisory Board and equipping parents with prevention tools, GPP’s initiatives create safer, healthier opportunities for youth.
6) Can you talk about the addiction threats from prescription drugs? What can be done to try and curb their misuse by young people?
Prescription drug misuse remains a serious concern, especially among our young people. One key statistic highlights the risk: almost 70% of young people who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from their own home or someone they know. The other thing to consider is the dangers of fake pills being sold on the illicit market. It’s impossible to tell that they are counterfeit, and five out of 10 counterfeit pills contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl.
While this is concerning, the good news is that simple, proactive steps can significantly reduce the risk. First, regularly clearing out medicine cabinets—both prescription and nonprescription drugs—helps limit access. This can be done safely at home using drug deactivation kits. Second, open and ongoing conversations are critical. Young people who have a caring adult discuss the risks of drugs and alcohol with them are 50% less likely to engage in substance use. Prevention starts with awareness and is successful with action.
7) The Governor’s Prevention Partnership is also heavily involved in mentoring young people to thrive in their communities. Can you talk about the impact of these mentorship initiatives and how it relates to prevention?
Mentoring plays a crucial role in building strong communities and shaping a successful future workforce. Young people with a mentor are more likely to take on leadership roles in school and sports, engage in their communities, and pursue higher education. At its core, prevention begins with mentoring—having a trusted, caring adult provides youth with the support and guidance they need to feel connected, confident, and capable of making healthy life choices.
8) How do you know these efforts are working?
There has been a sustained downward trend in drug overdoses in the state. This suggests that prevention strategies—such as expanded awareness and education, access to naloxone, drug deactivation kits, and community-based initiatives—are having a real impact.
9) Finally, what does the future look like if these initiatives succeed?
Prevention will be funded and sustained through the legislature, and it will be deeply integrated into schools, communities, and homes, ultimately saving lives and reducing the impact of substance use disorders.
Kelly Juleson and Roland Harmon are Co-Presidents of The Governor’s Prevention Partnership. They are based in East Hartford.