One of my favorite quotes is: “Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you may never get to see.” This particular iteration is from Hamilton, but you’ve likely encountered a variation of this quote either biblically or from someone in your life.

This idea perfectly encapsulates the bold and forward-thinking action taken by Attorney General Russell Coleman in the recent meeting with the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. During the meeting, AG Coleman passionately highlighted the urgent need for a youth drug prevention initiative.

This initiative would be modeled after Florida’s “Better Without It” campaign but adapted specifically to “look, sound, feel, and smell like the Commonwealth.” Carolyn Capern and Greg Trujillo, founders of the campaign, explained that its foundation lies in positive youth development (PYD) principles and is deeply intentional about incorporating youth voices. They emphasized that the goal is to encourage young people to make positive life choices while fostering resilience through the 5 C’s: competence, confidence, connection, character, and compassion.

AG Coleman described the prevention campaign as one leg of a three-legged stool, with the other legs dedicated to strengthening school-based programs and amplifying the work of the commission.

Commission member Dr. Allen Brenzel expressed support, stating, “I’m enthusiastically supportive of your work in terms of working on PYD and social-emotional factors.. We know those will have benefits beyond substance use…As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I want to commend the Attorney General for focusing on our young folks and addressing those needs early. I’m looking forward to supporting evidence-based interventions.”

The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission voted in favor of allocating $3.6 million over the next two years to fund the three-part campaign.

Kentucky Youth Advocates’ Terry Brooks shared this: “Too many Kentucky children and teens are impacted by the opioid crisis — and many have firsthand experience of dealing with the effects of addiction, whether with their peers or family members. By taking the time to listen to our young people, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and the Better Without Campaign can make a real difference in the trajectory of kids, families, and communities across the Commonwealth.”

Just as the quote reminds us that planting seeds can create a legacy we may never witness, this youth substance use prevention initiative is an investment in Kentucky’s future—nurturing young lives today to cultivate a healthier, stronger Commonwealth tomorrow. Bloom Kentucky is excited to partner in this work, helping youth shape the direction of this critical initiative. We are proud to see the Attorney General and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission stepping up to plant seeds that will grow into lasting change.

See the full meeting here.