Sessions

Over the last several years, many products intended for human consumption that were once restricted to the pharmaceutical sector and/or classified as controlled substances have been entering traditional food markets. These products typically contain chemicals that are considered psychotropic, very different from traditional foods. Regulators are now having to incorporate these psychotropic products into various regulatory frameworks, and they are not necessarily an easy fit, thus requiring a different approach and skillset in many cases. These products are being intertwined with traditional food products and made readily available to consumers of all ages at a variety of public establishments. This segment will unravel some of the mysteries that surround many of these products and discuss different strategies being used by some in the industry to evade regulation and illegally expand the spaces they were given in which to operate.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will:

• Understand how psychotropic products are making their way into easily accessible food markets.
• Understand concerns surrounding psychotropics being sold as/in food.
• Understand some of the arguments that are being made in attempts to confuse officials and regulators.
• Become familiar with many of the product classes and products commonly available on the market today.
• Understand the necessity for strong scientific backgrounds to filter through illegitimate arguments.

Introduction to Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) is an overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s multidisciplinary approach to train law enforcement officers to take a victim-centered approach to identify and rescue endangered or exploited children and identify those who pose a high-risk threat to a child during routine traffic enforcement, such as traffic stops.

The pandemic created a perfect storm of increased access to alcohol and decreased enforcement of alcohol laws. Coalitions and law enforcement were unable to conduct alcohol compliance checks in their communities due to “lockdown” restrictions. A need for trained law enforcement officers was apparent. A partnership was formed between the Alcohol Policy Resource Center at Prevention First and the Division of Enforcement at the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. This team has trained over 600 officers and created a youth training toolkit for officers to use with their underage compliance check volunteers. This team has also helped to shape statewide policy to address emerging alcohol trends. This workshop will share the foundations of this partnership, efforts to build law enforcement’s capacity to reduce youth access to alcohol through retail outlets, and the statewide policies needed to combat emerging issues.

Objectives:

• At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to identify strategies to reduce youth access to alcohol by using local data.
• At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to identify how to cultivate partnerships for sustainable solutions.
• At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to identify the latest alcohol products available to youth in today's market.
• At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to identify policy solutions at the local and state level.

Prevention professionals, including educators, often work within different frameworks—Risk and Protective Factors, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Positive Youth Development, and the 40 Developmental Assets. While the language and models may vary, the goal remains the same: reduce risk, strengthen protective factors, and improve outcomes for youth, families, and communities.

This session connects these commonly used frameworks, highlighting the shared principles that drive effective prevention. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how these approaches complement one another, why they are not competing models, and how they collectively inform evidence-based prevention strategies. By viewing prevention through an integrated lens, attendees will be better equipped to align programs, messaging, and community efforts.

Designed for coalitions, educators, law enforcement, prevention practitioners, and community partners, this session emphasizes practical application—moving beyond terminology to focus on actionable strategies that build protection, reduce risk, and support long-term community health.