Helping Students Say “Yes” to Their Future
I recently had the privilege of serving as the keynote speaker for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (NCADA), now PreventEd, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was an incredible event focused on empowering young people to make healthy choices and build a brighter future. From the moment students arrived, the staff and volunteers created an environment where every student felt welcomed, valued, and capable of success.
The theme of the conference was YOUth MVP, and my message was simple: the choices you make today shape the opportunities you’ll have tomorrow.
Students hear “Just say no to drugs” all the time, and that’s an important message. But I believe prevention becomes even more powerful when we help students discover what they’re saying yes to.
When a student says yes to graduating high school, pursuing college or a career, serving their community, or achieving a personal dream, they’re much more likely to say no to the choices that could stand in the way of those goals. Every decision becomes easier when students have a purpose that’s bigger than the temptation they’re facing.
One question I encourage every educator and parent to ask is:
“What are you saying yes to?”
When students can clearly identify their goals, they begin to recognize the habits, influences, and decisions that either move them closer to—or farther away from—the future they want.
In recent years, I’ve also had the opportunity to work with several Tribal schools and Indigenous communities. Many educators, counselors, and prevention professionals have shared the challenges they face, including the impact of substance misuse, mental health concerns, and the need for more prevention resources for young people and families. At the same time, I’ve seen incredible resilience, strong cultural traditions, and adults who are deeply committed to helping the next generation thrive.
My goal is never to focus on the challenges alone. It’s to bring a message of hope, resilience, and personal responsibility that encourages students to believe in themselves, honor their community, and make choices that lead to a healthy, successful future.
If your school, Tribal community, or youth organization is looking for a speaker who can connect with students through humor, real-life stories, and practical strategies for making positive choices, I’d be honored to be part of your next event.