Prevention is a critical part of addressing substance use in North Dakota, and it is a focus of a new series on the Recovery Chronicles podcast. This series brings together state and local leaders who are working every day to reduce substance use before it begins and to support families and communities across the state.
In Episode 186, we speak with Thomas Volk from the Behavioral Health Division of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Thomas shares a statewide perspective on prevention, including trends in prevention over the past 30 years. Many might remember the 90’s scare tactics, a.k.a. the prevention commercial “this is your brain on drugs,” complete with a fried egg visual. Prevention today has grown into a more comprehensive approach that includes community engagement, data-driven strategies, and early intervention. Thomas discusses how prevention today looks at the whole person and the environments people live in, recognizing that mental health, family support, education, and community connection all play a role.
Episode 187 features Sara Kapp from Parents Lead, dedicated to helping parents play an active role in prevention. Sara talks about how powerful parents and caregivers can be when it comes to influencing their children’s choices. She shares practical tips for starting conversations about alcohol and other drugs, even when those conversations feel uncomfortable. Prevention does not require one perfect talk. Instead, it happens through ongoing, age-appropriate conversations, setting clear expectations, and building trusting relationships.
Episode 188 includes a conversation with Susan Kahler from Bismarck Burleigh Public Health, who discusses prevention efforts happening at the local level. Susan highlights community-based initiatives in Bismarck and Burleigh County that focus on education, early intervention, and collaboration among schools, public health, law enforcement, and community organizations.
Together, these episodes paint a clear picture of how prevention in North Dakota is both evolving and expanding. From statewide strategy to family conversations to local community action, prevention takes many forms and requires collaboration at every level. The Recovery Chronicles podcast series highlights that prevention is not a single program or message, but an ongoing commitment to building healthier individuals, families, and communities across North Dakota.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the series to learn more about how prevention works, why it matters, and how each of us can play a role in supporting a healthier future.
