Amy Ronshausen is the Executive Director of both Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. and Save Our Society From Drugs (S.O.S.), national nonprofit organizations that work prevent substance abuse, increase access to evidence based treatment, and promote sustained recovery.
Mrs. Ronshausen has dedicated most of her adult life to the work of drug demand reduction. In her thirteen years with Drug Free America Foundation and S.O.S, she has assisted in coordinating successful grassroots advocacy campaigns to promote sound drug policy, analyzed and tracked state and federal drug policy legislation, and trained prevention professionals at local, national and international conferences. Mrs. Ronshausen regularly testifies on issues related to drug demand reduction on the local and global stage.
Prior to coming to DFAF, Mrs. Ronshausen spent three years as a program specialist with the Pinellas County Adult Drug Court, working under four judges. While in drug court, Mrs. Ronshausen linked defendants with treatment providers and monitored their progress through the criminal justice system. Mrs. Ronshausen started her work in drug prevention with Operation PAR, where she started off as a call specialist in their access center and then worked as a juvenile certified GAIN assessor. She also worked as a juvenile counselor for PAR’s Adolescent Recovery Intervention Services and the Juvenile Enhancement Treatment Services and is trained in Motivational Enhancement and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Mrs. Ronshausen volunteers as the Executive Director for the Florida Coalition Alliance, representing over 30 community anti-drug coalitions. She chairs the Marijuana Task Force as part of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, and serves on the Pinellas County Opioid Task Force. Mrs. Ronshausen serves on the board of Informed Families, is a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) and is a trainer for the Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC).
In 2019, Mrs. Ronshausen was elected as International President of the World Federation Against Drugs, a multilateral community of non-governmental organizations and individuals.
Mrs. Ronshausen received her Bachelors of Arts Degree from University of South Florida.
Abstract
Prevention in a Changing Marijuana Landscape
Prevention in a Changing Marijuana Landscape is a deep dive into the current changing marijuana policies in the United States and impact of those policies on public health. The presentation will give examples of current marijuana products, such as edibles, wax, and ice, as well as examples of marketing practices. There will be a review of data from recent surveys on how these practices impact youth perceptions regarding risks. The session will include an overview of current research on the impacts of youth marijuana use including the impact to mental health. Prevention strategies are challenging in this ever changing policy landscape but not impossible. The session will highlight the importance of youth prevention efforts and how to navigate strategies of educate youth and adults.