Funded through the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH), Regional Prevention Task Forces and Prevention Coalitions are committed to creating safe and healthy communities through the provision of resources and programming related to substance misuse prevention and mental health. This year, two Regional Coordinators, Obed Papp and Patricia Sweet, received awards highlighting their coalition work and commitment to their communities.
Obed Papp is the Regional Coordinator of the Providence Regional Task Force. She received the Community Outreach Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which highlights individuals who conduct outreach, education, and prevention programming relating to underage drinking.
Could you please start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about your role as a Regional Coordinator of the Providence Regional Task Force and your motivations for working in substance misuse prevention?
My name is Obed Papp, and I serve as the Regional Coordinator of the Providence Regional Task Force. I collaborate with community partners, schools, policymakers, and families in this role to implement evidence-based strategies that prevent substance misuse and promote healthier communities. My motivation for working in this field stems from witnessing the devastating impact that substance misuse, particularly impaired driving and underage drinking, can have on families and communities. It’s not just about statistics—it’s about lives, and every life saved through prevention efforts reminds me why this work matters.
The RI Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) awarded you the Community Outreach Award for using public relations mediums and outreach to educate the public, deter traffic violations and prevent underage drinking. Can you tell us a bit about your work in impaired driving prevention?
Receiving the Community Outreach Award from MADD is truly an honor. My work in impaired driving prevention has focused on three key areas: education, enforcement partnerships, and community engagement. Through initiatives like the Community Mobilization for Change in Alcohol and the Family Matters Program, we educate parents and youth about the risks of underage drinking and impaired driving. Our social media campaigns, school presentations, and collaborations with law enforcement have been instrumental in spreading awareness.
What role does the greater community have in impacting substance misuse and impaired driving? What strategies have you used to create these meaningful partnerships?
The community plays a pivotal role in preventing substance misuse and impaired driving. It’s not just the responsibility of law enforcement or health organizations; schools, parents, youth, faith-based groups, and local leaders all contribute to creating a culture of prevention. One proven effective strategy is building coalitions like the Mayor’s Coalition on Behavioral Health. These coalitions unite diverse stakeholders, ensuring everyone has a voice and can contribute to sustainable solutions. We also collaborate with local media to amplify prevention messages. I want to emphasize that prevention is a shared responsibility, and everyone can play a part. Whether it’s talking to your children about the dangers of underage drinking, participating in community events, or supporting initiatives like MedReturn boxes for safe medication disposal, every effort counts. Let’s continue working together to build safer, healthier communities.
Patricia Sweet is the Regional Coordinator of the Southern Providence County Regional Task Force, which includes the Johnston Prevention Coalition (JPC). The Johnston Prevention Coalition received the National Coalition Institute’s Blue Ribbon Coalition of the Year Award Honoring Long-term Outcomes from Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) for its work addressing nicotine use in youth.
Could you please start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about your role as a Regional Coordinator of the Southern Providence County Regional Task Force and your motivations for working in substance misuse prevention?
My name is Patricia Sweet, I am the Director of Prevention at Tri- County Community Action Agency and also serve as the Director of the Southern Providence County Regional Prevention Coalition. Back when I attended college, degree options in this field were quite limited. Initially, I planned to become a psychologist counseling adolescents, so I focused on psychology and took as many substance use-related courses as possible. One of the most impactful was Alcohol Troubled People (ATP)—a course that reshaped my perspective on individuals with alcohol use disorder. Instead of labeling them as “alcoholics,” I learned to see them as people struggling with alcohol-related challenges. As part of my coursework, I worked with at-risk students at my former high school, which I absolutely loved. Had public health been a more recognized field back then, I likely would have taken that path. Working at Tri-County Community Action allows me to pursue my passion for helping and educating others. As a Regional Coordinator, I have the opportunity to do both—collaborating with a fantastic team to prevent substance misuse and implement programs that empower youth to make healthier choices.
The Johnston Prevention Coalition has a strong programming focus on youth substance misuse prevention and tobacco use prevention. Would you be able to expand on the specific programs the coalition has developed and administered in the community?
With the support of local schools, BHDDH, and Drug-Free Communities grants the Johnston Coalition has implemented highly engaging and effective prevention programs tailored to youth. One of our most successful initiatives is Escape the Vape, an interactive escape room experience that educates students about the risks of vaping. I’ve never seen such enthusiasm from youth in my career as a prevention specialist—students are so eager to participate that they stand in line multiple times just for another chance to complete the challenge. Beyond the excitement, the program delivers real impact; consistently showing positive learning outcomes and reinforcing the importance of hands-on prevention education. Another impactful program we deliver is Pick Your No’s, a refusal skills campaign originally named by Tiverton youth. We took this creative campaign and developed a structured program that we teach in health classes. The title itself sparks curiosity, and students enjoy the interactive approach while gaining practical strategies to resist peer pressure related to substance use. Additionally, we implement Media Ready for all 6th graders at the middle school. This evidence-based program, widely used across multiple regions, teaches students how to critically analyze media messages, recognize false advertising, and understand how marketing tactics are designed to target young audiences—especially when it comes to tobacco and substance use.
What role do parents and the greater community have in impacting youth substance misuse? What initiatives has the Johnston Prevention Coalition used to successfully engage parents and caregivers? What strategies would you recommend to other coalitions who are looking to create these meaningful partnerships?
We utilize community-wide awareness campaigns to keep prevention a priority. Through our regional website, social media outreach, and the SPC Regional newsletter, Raising Healthy Kids, we share critical messages about the risks of underage drinking, vaping, and other substances. Additionally, we aim to host at least one community event each year. Most recently, we hosted The Community Conversation, by Cathy Andreozzi, bringing together parents, students, and community members to discuss impaired driving, relevant laws, and actionable steps for prevention. Another initiative we implement is “Talk They Hear You,” a SAMHSA national campaign that provides parents with conversation starters and strategies for discussing substance use with their children. By equipping parents with tools and resources, we empower them to have ongoing, age-appropriate discussions that make a lasting impact. The Johnston Prevention Coalition exhibits the Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) program which is an interactive exhibit designed to educate parents on the subtle warning signs of risky behaviors that may be present in their teen’s bedroom. We built strong partnerships through clear communication, collaboration, and shared goals. By engaging stakeholders early, aligning initiatives with community needs, and showing appreciation we build trust with the community.
Learn more about MADD Rhode Island here.
Learn more about CADCA and the Blue Ribbon Coalition Awards here.
