Crisis Hotline: 1-855-222-2046
Serving Rockbridge and Bath County,
& the Cities of Buena Vista and Lexington.
August 1, 2023 8:30am-3:30pm
Location: 1340 Thornhill Road, Lexington, VA
Many of us don't understand teens or the world they live in. We have developed an event to help you better understand the current substance use trends, behaviors, signs and symptoms and to provide you the tools to confidently have open conversations.
Keys Points:
Gain insight into a teenagers daily life
Popular substances
What to look for and how to identify them
Possible roots of unusual behavior; attitude changes, declining grades, withdrawn/ or over-involvement
Best conversation approaches
Helping students over obstacles and build resilience
Keep the conversations going
Where & how to get help
2023 Schedule
*Please Note: Program schedule, speakers, and times are subject to change
Meet the Speakers - Coming soon
Ben Westhoff – Author of Fentanyl, Inc
Ben Westhoff is an award-winning investigative reporter, speaker, and filmmaker whose books are taught around the country and have been translated around the world, including Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Created the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic, the bombshell first book about the fentanyl epidemic. He has advised officials at the top levels of government about the opioid crisis, including the US Senate, US House, and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Westhoff is currently directing a film about the opioid treatment drug naltrexone, called Antagonist. He has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, and the Guardian, and has been interviewed as an expert commentator on CNN, NPR, and CSPAN, and on full, dedicated episodes of Fresh Air and the Joe Rogan Experience.
General Price - CADCA CEO
More information coming soon
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Leyna Hansley - PAVE Educator and Speaker
Leyna Hansley is a mom of 2 that has done prevention education work for the last 6 years in Rockbridge County. She currently works as a 21st Century Grant Program Coordinator for Natural Bridge Elementary, and is dedicated to keeping children and families safe from the dangers of vaping.
Students in Rockbridge Promoting Healthy Alternatives (SiRPHA)
Students in Rockbridge Promoting Healthy Alternatives (SiRPHA) is our local youth coalition comprised of students from Parry McCluer and Rockbridge County High Schools. SiRPHA youth work together to help increase healthy alternative opportunities for youth in the Rockbridge area while decreasing risky behaviors.
Brittney Whytsell - Peer Recovery Specialist
Britney Whytsell has always been a natural helper. Throughout childhood she always felt unheard and like she couldn’t ask for help, which led to her passion of being a person who listens and helps others to the best of her ability. While part of her journey includes her path through substance use of more than 10 years of her life, September 17, 2023 will mark 3 years of recovery. She is now a Peer Recovery Specialist at the Rockbridge Area CSB. This role has granted her the opportunity to offer compassionate support to others experiencing similar paths in life while instilling hopefulness through connection to self, others, and to the community. She helps others to see that they can have another chance at life. Outside of her career role, Britney is also a mother of 2, a sister, and a daughter who loves swimming at the lake and spending time with her two kids. She also enjoys practicing self care days with her mother and learning new things.
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Hugh Ferguson - Veteran Peer Support Specialist
Hugh Ferguson is a retired Sheriff’s Deputy with 30 years of service in the Rockbridge community. He is a former U.S. Marine who served in the Persian Gulf War.
Hugh is currently a Veteran Peer Support Specialist with RACS who assists Veterans who suffer from substance use or mental health challenges by guiding them to appropriate services within our community and the VA.
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Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office- Hidden in Plain Sight
This interactive display will be led by 1stSgt Wimer and SRD Fitzgerald with the Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office. The room will be set up to represent a teenager’s bedroom and hidden in the "demo bedroom" are items that could indicate a young person might be involved in risky activities. Through the Hidden in Plain Sight initiative, parents and other caring adults can learn how to spot warning signs and get tips for communicating with their teens.
BreAnne Rogers - Prevention Services Program Manager
BreAnne is a Virginia native and resident almost her entire life (with just shy of 10 years in TN). She earned her degree from East Tennessee State University and has been in the health and wellness field for over 15 years. BreAnne was introduced to the nonprofit world in 2011 where she became a Coalition Facilitator for the Rockbridge Area Prevention Coalition. Currently she is the Prevention Services Program Manager at Rockbridge Area Community Services. Additionally, she is a certified trainer in Adult Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, ACE Interface, REVIVE, and SafeTALK. She presently resides in Rockbridge County with her very patient husband and two busy teenage boys but still tries to find the time to continue to exercise whenever possible (do dishes and laundry count?).