Ohio Alcohol Misuse Prevention Conference 2026

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Ohio Alcohol Misuse Prevention Conference 2026: Prevention Without Age Limits: Tackling Alcohol Misuse at Every Life Stage

Essential Details:

Date: March 26, 2026
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $75
Location: Dublin Integrated Education Center | 6805 Bobcat Way, Dublin, OH 43016
CEUs: Prevention CEUs will be applied for.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Parking: Free

If you have already registered for this event, but can no longer attend or need to transfer your registration to someone else, please contact Leah Blewitt at lblewitt@preventionactionalliance.org.

Meet the Keynote Speaker

Rick Collins | Project Director at Hawaii Public Health Institute

Rick Collins, a Cincinnati, Ohio native, has lived in Hawai‘i since 2003 and specializes in public health policy related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. He is the co-founder of the Hawai‘i Alcohol Policy Alliance and the Maui Coalition for Drug-Free Youth, and currently serves as Coalition Director for three community coalitions across the state.

His work includes building and sustaining community coalitions, advancing local and state policy advocacy, and organizing communities to plan and implement evidence-based strategies that reduce substance-related harms. Rick has served as a consultant and trainer with CADCA since 2018 and provides technical assistance to communities implementing substance use policy initiatives. He currently serves on the boards of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance and the Hawai‘i Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Rick is a Certified Prevention Specialist and holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University.

Check Out the Keynote Sessions!

• Morning Session | Moving Beyond Awareness to Build Community Power for Alcohol Policy Change
  Awareness alone doesn’t reduce alcohol-related harm; policy does. This session explores the public health case for alcohol policy and introduces the 4 Ps framework for prevention. It also highlights community organizing as the force that turns evidence into impact. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how organized communities advance policy change, build community power, and create healthier environments for all.

• Afternoon Session | Now What? The Responsibility to Lead Alcohol Policy
  The evidence for effective alcohol policy is clear, but knowing what works is only the first step. “Now What?” asks participants to confront the responsibility to lead change in their communities, organizations, and coalitions. This session explores how leaders can translate evidence into action, leverage community power, and navigate the political and social challenges of alcohol policy. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of their role, practical leadership strategies, and inspiration to move policy from idea to impact in their communities. 

Breakout Session Highlights

• Targeting Risk Early: Integrating Gambling Prevention into Alcohol Prevention Strategies
  Explores the rising risks of youth gambling, particularly sports betting, and its overlap with alcohol use. Examines developmental vulnerability and highlights integrated prevention strategies including screening, education, and workforce training.

• Overview if Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Symptoms & Strategies to Provide Hope & Help
  Provides an overview of FASD, including prevalence, symptoms, and common misdiagnoses. Addresses misconceptions and shares practical strategies to better support individuals and families.

• The Relationship Between ADHD and Alcohol Use
  Examines the relationship between ADHD and alcohol use, including impacts on impulse control and decision-making. Shares evidence-based strategies to support individuals with ADHD.

• Society, Pressure, Mental Health, and Alcohol: How Youth Stress Fuels Lifelong Risks, How We Can Fix this Gap Before it’s too Late
  Looks at how societal pressure and youth stress contribute to alcohol use as a coping mechanism and highlights prevention strategies for ages 8–21.

• How Environments Impact Alcohol Misuse and What We Can Do About It
  Explores how built and social environments influence alcohol misuse and provides actionable strategies to reduce access and support healthier communities.

• Drinking Sadness: Children, Grief, and Alcohol Misuse in Families
  Examines trends in youth alcohol use linked to family grief and loss and offers strategies and resources for families and caregivers.

Interested in Sponsoring the Event?

Support the Ohio Alcohol Misuse Prevention Conference and showcase your organization through a range of sponsorship opportunities, including exhibitor tables. This conference offers direct access to more than 100 professionals working across prevention, treatment, and recovery — providing a valuable opportunity to build connections, support healthy communities, and highlight the importance of responsible alcohol consumption.

Each sponsorship level includes complimentary tickets, allowing you to explore effective strategies to prevent alcohol-related harms while engaging in meaningful conversations about the evolving landscape of alcohol misuse prevention.

To secure your sponsorship or exhibitor table, click the “Sponsor Our Event” button located next to “Register Here”. Explore all available sponsorship options here, or contact Julianna Kleinsmith at jkleinsmith@preventionactionalliance.org.

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