Brooklyn Johnson, a Marshall University student and member of the Prevention Empowerment Partnership Youth Trainee program, has been appointed to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Opioid Affected Youth Advisory Board.
This board, consisting of seven individuals aged 18 to 24 and chosen from across the nation, aims to effectively address the challenges faced by youth affected by opioids and substance use disorders (SUDs).
Johnson works with the Prevention Empowerment Partnership (PEP), part of the Center of Excellence for Recovery that’s housed in the Marshall University Research Corporation.
Angela Saunders, director of PEP, commended Johnson’s exceptional dedication to substance use prevention and her remarkable growth since she became involved with PEP five years ago. She emphasized Johnson’s vital role in helping grow the Youth Empowerment Program into a nationally recognized model and expressed immense pride in her achievements.
“Brooklyn’s appointment to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Opioid Affected Youth Advisory Board is a significant milestone that reflects her passion, expertise and unwavering dedication to empowering youth and promoting substance use prevention,” Saunders said. “Her voice and perspective will undoubtedly contribute to the board’s endeavors to create a brighter future for youth impacted by opioids and SUDs.”
“I am honored to represent Appalachia and have this opportunity to impact substance misuse prevention and reactive care for youth within our nation,” Johnson said. “It is truly a dream come true. I am so thankful for my community for growing me into the person I am today and am beyond grateful for the Prevention Empowerment Partnership for empowering me with the training and experience which have made me qualified for this national position.”
The advisory board is driven by a powerful mission statement, which reads in part: “The impact of this board will be to enhance youth survival and safety by leveraging the lived experiences of young people and redefining recovery as any positive change. Through advocacy, education, and awareness, we will advance evidence-based prevention and sustainable recovery efforts that are rooted in foundations of cultural humility, holistic approaches, reduction of stigma, and restorative justice.”
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The office works to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization by providing national leadership, coordination and resources to support state and local efforts to improve juvenile justice systems and services. To learn more, visit https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/.
The mission of PEP (Prevention Empowerment Partnership) is to increase access to comprehensive prevention services for youth and families in Cabell County and surrounding areas by empowering youth to affect positive change in their communities and to prioritize prevention throughout their lives. To learn more about PEP, visit https://pepwv.org/.