Wisconsin Substance Use Prevention Conference

September 10-11, 2025

The 2025 Wisconsin Substance Use Prevention Conference is an event focused on strategies to prevent all types of substance use. The theme for this event is "Prevention Works! Investing in Our Future and Healthy Communities."

Jump to information on: registration | agenda | lodging | award nominations

Goals and objectives

The 2025 Wisconsin Substance Use Prevention Conference is Wisconsin's only statewide event for the substance use prevention field. People working to prevent the initiation of substance use should attend to:

• Enhance knowledge of substance use prevention initiatives and resources across Wisconsin: Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of substance use prevention services and initiatives in Wisconsin that support connection, safety, and improved quality of life.
• Strengthen collaboration and networking among substance use prevention professionals: Attendees will have opportunities to collaborate, exchange best practices, and form partnerships across sectors, including public health, education, law enforcement, and community organizations.
• Develop practical substance use prevention strategies: Attendees will leave this event with actionable prevention strategies and evidence-based tools that can be implemented in their communities.

Intended audience

All people interested in building healthy communities are invited to attend the 2025 Wisconsin Substance Use Prevention Conference. The information shared at this event will be most useful for:

• Substance use prevention specialists: People involved in the design and delivery of substance use prevention programs, including school-based programs, workplace initiatives, and community-based programs.
• Public health professionals: People who are responsible for tracking trends in substance use, including epidemiologists, health educators, and public health officials.
• Tribal nation leaders, local community leaders, and local organizers: People in elected positions, community activists, and organizers working to improve the health and well-being of their communities.
• Social workers, counselors, peer specialists, and recovery coaches: Professionals in the mental health and substance use field who support people impacted by substance use.
• School administrators, teachers, counselors, and other educators: People working in a K-12 setting and higher education involved in educating young people about substance use risks and healthy behaviors as well as supporting students at risk for substance use.
• Youth leaders and advocates: People who are focused on promoting positive, healthy lifestyles among young people, and preventing substance use among young people.

While this event is geared toward people living and working in Wisconsin, people from other states are invited to attend.

Registration

Registration is required for this event. The registration fee covers access to all sessions. The registration deadline is August 15, 2025.

Register now

If you need help with the registration process, contact the UW-Milwaukee's Center for Inclusive Transition, Education, and Employment at citee-events@uwm.edu.

Single day passes for September 10 or September 11 are not available. Two-day registration is the only option to attend this event. All registrants will have access to recordings of sessions on September 10 and September 11 they were unable to attend.

Cancellation policy: Cancellation requests for this event must be received in writing no later than August 15, 2025. Cancellations received after August 15, 2025, will not be refunded. Participants must cancel in advance of the event. No refunds will be issued once the event has started, regardless of whether the participant joined the event. Send a cancellation request to citee-events@uwm.edu.

Refund policy: Refunds will only be issued to registered participants if this event is canceled for any reason. No exceptions. All registered participants have access to session recordings and materials for three months after this event.

Videography/photography: Organizers and attending news media may be videotaping or photographing portions of this event. By attending this event, registrants acknowledge these activities and agree to allow their image to be used by the organizers and news media in any way. Registrants may not videotape or broadcast any potion of this event without written permission from organizers.

Event materials: The WHOVA app will be used to share event materials with all in-person and virtual participants. Information on how to access the WHOVA app will be emailed to all registered participants several weeks before the event.

Agenda

The agenda for this event includes a keynote presentation, a plenary session, and 25 breakout sessions.

There are tracks focused on:

• The foundations of prevention. Sessions in this track highlight the fundamentals of substance use prevention.
• Alcohol. Sessions in this track highlight strategies and tools to address alcohol use in Wisconsin and its impacts.
• Tobacco. Sessions in this track highlight strategies and tools to address tobacco use in Wisconsin and its impacts.
• Year of the Kid. Sessions in this track highlight strategies to support positive youth development as part of Governor Evers' Year of the Kid initiative.

Agenda details are subject to change.

September 10, 2025

• 9:30 a.m.: Welcome and announcements
• 10:00 a.m.: Keynote presentation - Carlton Hall, MA ("Prioritizing prevention to address the fierce urgencies of now")
• 11:15 a.m.: Break
• 11:30 a.m.: Breakout session 1 (five workshops)
  • Old drugs, new threats (Speaker: Melissa Moore, MA, PS)
  • Top 10 ways to combat underage drinking (Speaker: Felice Borisy-Rudin, JD, Ph.D.)
  • Transformative narrative: commercial tobacco (Speakers: Annie Rosemurgy and Alan Talaga)
  • Unfiltered truth: youth-led action action against Big Tobacco (Speakers: Charmaine Swan, Courtney Tvedten, MPH, Luke Witkowski, MS, and Johanna Brotz)
  • Session title to be announced (Speaker: Carlton Hall, MA)
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
• 1:30 p.m.: Breakout session 2 (five workshops)
  • Prevention essentials: building a foundation for impact (Speakers: Tracy Johnson and Albert Gay)
  • Alcohol age compliance checks: what do we know, what tools do we have, and how can you get started (Speaker: Felice Borisy-Rudin, JD, Ph.D.
  • Zoning for health: redesigning communities to reduce youth tobacco and alcohol access and use (Speakers: Hannah Gumina, MPH, CHES, and Laura Stephens, MPH)
  • Bridging substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion (Speaker: Kris Reed, MPH, CPS)
• 2:30 p.m.: Break
• 2:45 p.m.: Breakout session 3 (five workshops)
  • The intersections of harm reduction and prevention strategies (Speakers: Ashley Borlick, MPH, CHES, and Yolanda Candler, MPH)
  • Old drugs, new threats - got drugs? now what!? (Speaker: Melissa Moore, MA, PS)
  • Successfully engaging the community through youth substance use awareness campaigns (Speaker: Joy Evans, MPH, PS, Kayla Doege, and Sara Tongusi)
  • Preparing and supporting youth to be advocates (Speaker: Debra Cady, MSW)
  • Connection is prevention: combating social isolation and loneliness (Speakers: Lynn McLaughlin and Karen Iverson Riggers)
• 3:45 p.m.: End of day

The State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse will host an in-person only listening session open to the public at 4:15 p.m. September 10 at the Chula Vista Resort

September 11, 2025

• 9:00 a.m.: Plenary session (topic(s) to be announced)
• 10:15 a.m.: Break
• 10:30 a.m.: Breakout session 4 (five workshops)
  • Influencing change through advocacy: what it means to lobby or educate (Speakers: Maureen Busalacchi and Melissa Moore, MA, PS)
  • Counterfeit: Investigating the role of fake IDs in youth alcohol access (Speakers: Alison Harder and Kate Torkelson)
  • Tobacco and nicotine trends: emerging products and devices (Speakers: Luke Witkowski, MS, and Brian Williams, MD)
  • Creating media literacy in prevention programs (Speaker: William Hutter, Psy.D., LMFT, NDCCDP)
  • A resilience balance scale: effectively addressing burnout in the workplace (Speaker: Richard Ferrari Traner, MPH, PHSW, CTICP)
• 11:30 a.m.: Lunch and awards presentation
• 1:30 p.m.: Breakout session 5 (five workshops)
  • Environmental prevention strategies: going to C.A.M.P.E. (Speakers: Tracy Johnson and Albert Gay)
  • Place of last drink going live (Speakers: Maureen Busalacchi, Robert MacKenzie, MA, and Jacob Wagner, MSHS)
  • Addressing youth vaping and best practice solutions (Speaker: Tracy Herlitzke)
  • Preventing youth access to Delta-8 THC and other hemp-derived psychoactive cannabis products (Speakers: Erin Brunner and Chris Wardlow, MAT, CPS)
  • Maximize impact, minimize waste: using AI to craft effective social media prevention campaigns (Speaker: Carlos Morales)
• 2:30 p.m.: End of day

View the detailed agenda for each day

Continuing education units

Continuing education units or CEUs will be available for an additional fee. The number CEUs available has not yet been set. These will be general CEUs. Specialized continuing education credits will not be available. More information on the CEUs for this event will be available soon. 

Lodging

Lodging is available at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells at $98 per night for single occupancy. You must call the hotel at 855-219-5037 to book a room at this special rate. You will be asked to provide the code listed in your conference registration confirmation email.

The hotel room block for this event is open through August 15, 2025, or until sold out, whichever comes first.

Award nominations

Nominations are open for awards recognizing the outstanding work of individuals and organizations building healthy communities through substance use prevention. Award categories include:

Leaders of the next generation: outstanding youth advocate for substance use prevention

• What is the purpose? To recognize youth for their exemplary leadership in developing and supporting substance use prevention initiatives that empower their peers to live happier and healthier lives.
• Who is eligible? Wisconsin residents ages 12 to 18.
• What are the requirements? Nominees should act in a kind and positive way when engaging their peers to participate in substance use prevention activities. The focus of the nominee's work should be on helping their peers make healthy choices to lead healthy lives. They should be passionate in delivering creative and innovative programs that inform and protect the well-being of their peers with a vision of a brighter future for everyone.

All youth nominated will be awarded with certificates that will be mailed to them. Nominees with the top scores from the awards committee will be recommended for a spotlight during this year's event provided the nominee provides permission for their name and work to be highlighted.

Leaders of a bright future: outstanding young adult advocate for substance use prevention

• What is the purpose? To recognize a young adult for their extraordinary efforts and leadership in advocating for substance use prevention initiatives that empower their peers to live happier and healthier lives.
• Who is eligible? Wisconsin residents ages 19 to 24.
• What are the requirements? Nominees should be passionate and forward thinking in making a difference in their communities by promoting substance use prevention activities. The focus of the nominee's work should be on programs that inform and protect the well-being of their peers by empowering them to contribute to substance use prevention efforts in their communities.

The winner of this award will be offered a complimentary registration to the conference and recognized during a ceremony at the conference.

Protecting the pond: outstanding substance use and misuse prevention coalition

• What is the purpose? To recognize a substance use prevention coalition for their extraordinary efforts to build healthy communities.
• Who is eligible? All Wisconsin-based substance use prevention coalitions.
• What are the requirements? Nominees should demonstrate consistent success implementing substance use prevention activities. This work should be equitable and inclusive. It should be built on readying the community for change, then delivering creative and innovative programs to address community needs. Nominees should have a record of acting as a strong community partner that advocates for substance use prevention at all levels.

The winner of this award will be offered a complimentary registration to the conference and recognized during a ceremony at the conference.

Catalyst for change: outstanding partner in prevention

• What is purpose? To recognize an outstanding individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the field of substance use prevention in their community.
• Who is eligible? Individuals or agencies located and operating in Wisconsin (schools, faith-based organizations, health care professionals, community leaders, businesses, marketing firms, media companies, etc.).
• What are the requirements? Nominees should be a changemaker in their community dedicated to supporting and leading substance use prevention activities that have a lasting impact. They are excited to improve the quality of life in their community and committed to collaborating with other people or organizations to achieve improved community health outcomes. They advocate for substance use prevention and help educate the community about its importance at all levels. They are exceptional at serving as a connector that bring people together in substance use prevention activities.

The winner of this award will be offered a complimentary registration to the conference and recognized during a ceremony at the conference.

Beyond the call to action: outstanding prevention professional

• What is the purpose? To recognize an outstanding substance use prevention professional for their efforts and contributions to prevent substance use while empowering their community to live happier and healthier lives.
• Who is eligible? Wisconsin residents employed in the field of substance use prevention for at least six months.
• What are the requirements? Nominees are visionaries that advocate for a brighter future in their communities. They exhibit a collaborative approach that includes proven practices to prevent substance use. They are exceptional at engaging community members and empowering them to be the change they want to see in their communities. They help lay the foundation for sustainable practices to prevent substance use in their communities.

The winner of this award will be offered a complimentary registration to the conference and recognized during a ceremony at the conference.

Submit an award nomination

Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. June 16, 2025. Self-nominations are allowed.

A committee will review and score each nomination to determine who will be recognized in each category.

This event is organized by the Division of Care and Treatment Services in collaboration with UW-Milwaukee's Center for Inclusive Transition, Education, and Employment.

Send questions about this event to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov.