Working Partners® Staff Recognized for Dedication to Prevention

Columbus, OH (5/3/2012) – On May 2, 2012, in recognition for her work in alcohol and other drug prevention in Ohio, Karen Pierce, Managing Director of Training and Policy Development, was awarded the 2012 Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio (ADAPAO) Advocate Award.

The award acknowledges the dedication Karen has to the field of prevention both at work and in her community. Some of her achievements include

• Developing engaging education/training modules to effect employee behavior and environmental change in their workplaces.
• Collaborating with local businesses to raise community awareness about the liabilities associated with underage drinking.
• Consulting with an area school district to implement educational and policy measures to respond to reports of student drug use.
• Organizing a group of Preventionists to advise the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on effective evidence-based strategies to prevent the abuse of prescription medications.

“I have a passion for prevention and a big mouth,” Pierce said when she accepted the award, “two essential traits of a prevention advocate. Our field has the unique opportunity to impact both the individual and systems, and I encourage all of us to continue opening our big mouths for prevention.”

This is the third award Piece has received from ADAPAO. She has also received the Administrative Support Award for her involvement with the Ohio Credentialing Board for Chemical Dependency Professionals and the Excellence in Prevention Award.

ADAPAO is a nonprofit, membership-based association advocating alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention in Ohio.