Substance Misuse Prevention and Youth Leadership with Isabella Choi and Camille Song

On The Elisha Show, Amb. Elisha Arowojobe speaks with Isabella Choi and Camille Song about youth-focused substance misuse prevention and leadership. Choi, founder of the National Substance Prevention Network (NSPN), and Song, its vice president, describe a student-led nonprofit working to make prevention more accessible and research-informed for young people.

Key takeaways

• NSPN is a student-led nonprofit focused on accessible, research-informed substance misuse prevention.
• A student’s death from an overdose inspired Isabella Choi to work to protect other young people.
• College mentors support high school leaders with educational resources, case studies and peer discussions.
• The episode explores how knowledge and approachable prevention conversations can help young people navigate peer pressure.
• Choi and Song discuss what building NSPN has taught them about leadership and making a difference.

What is the National Substance Prevention Network?

The National Substance Prevention Network, or NSPN, is a student-led nonprofit working to make substance misuse prevention more accessible and research-informed for young people. Its model connects college mentors with high school chapter leaders, who can use educational resources, case studies and peer discussions to explore prevention.

The episode’s focus is on helping young people make informed decisions. Rather than treating prevention as information alone, NSPN’s approach includes spaces for young people to discuss what they are learning and how it relates to peer pressure.

How did a personal tragedy inspire Isabella Choi?

The show notes say that a student’s death from an overdose inspired Choi to take action to help protect other young people. That experience is part of the background to her work with NSPN. The notes do not provide further details about the student or the circumstances, but they identify the loss as a motivation for prevention work.

How do college mentors support high school leaders?

According to the episode notes, college students mentor high school chapter leaders through educational resources, case studies and peer discussions. These activities are intended to encourage informed decisions and help young people navigate peer pressure. The notes present mentoring as one way NSPN brings prevention information and discussion to high school students.

Why does NSPN emphasize knowledge and approachable conversations?

NSPN believes knowledge is central to prevention, and the episode considers why prevention conversations should be accurate and approachable. The stated aim is to help young people understand the subject and make informed decisions, including when they face peer pressure. The show notes do not describe specific substances, curricula or outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the guests on this episode of The Elisha Show?

The guests are Isabella Choi, founder of the National Substance Prevention Network, and Camille Song, the organization’s vice president.

What does NSPN do?

NSPN is a student-led nonprofit working to make substance misuse prevention more accessible and research-informed for young people.

How does NSPN support high school chapter leaders?

College mentors support high school leaders through educational resources, case studies and peer discussions.

What inspired Isabella Choi to work in prevention?

A student’s death from an overdose inspired Choi to take action to help protect other young people.