When it comes to substance use, prevention is the hardest to measure, yet it is the most important. How do you count the car accidents that never happened, the students who chose a different path, or a parent who never had to bury their child? These invisible victories of prevention are what drive our work at the Hope Council.
Public health experts describe prevention in three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Each plays a role, and together they create a safety net strong enough to catch people before addiction takes its toll.
Primary prevention focuses on stopping problems before they start. For us, that means education, community coalitions, and outreach programs that encourage healthy choices and equip people to resist substances. It includes school presentations, peer-led initiatives, and community events where Hopeful Howie, our woolly mammoth mascot, helps break down stigma and spark conversations about making better choices. Primary prevention is about planting seeds, and those seeds can grow into lifelong habits of health and resilience.
Secondary prevention identifies risk early and intervenes before things escalate. Programs like our Underage Drug and Alcohol Accountability Program give youth a chance to learn from mistakes without jeopardizing scholarships, dorm access, or sports opportunities. We will soon launch youth & adult Mental Health First Aid training, which equips adults to recognize warning signs and provide support before a crisis becomes a tragedy. Secondary prevention is often the difference between a teachable moment and a lifelong struggle.
Tertiary prevention reduces risk and prevents further consequences once substance use has occurred. Our Public Health Vending Machine, filled with lifesaving tools like Narcan and fentanyl test strips, is a powerful example. It provides barrier-free, 24/7 access to resources for anyone in need. Our Loved Ones support groups offer comfort and strategies for families impacted by addiction. Tertiary prevention saves lives in real time.
Together, these layers of prevention do not just respond to addiction; they actively reshape our community’s future.
At the Hope Council, we have been at this work since 1968. Over the decades, we have served tens of thousands of families in Kenosha and beyond. While prevention is difficult to quantify, its ripple effects are undeniable. Every person who learns a skill, gains awareness, or accesses support is one less person left in the shadows.
Looking ahead, 2026 marks a turning point. With new funding from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, we will expand programs, enhance services, and staff new locations. These resources come at a critical time, as many agencies face budget cuts and uncertainty. Where others are shrinking, Hope Council is growing, because prevention cannot wait.
Prevention may not always make headlines, but it saves lives every day. At Hope Council, we are proud to continue this mission and proud to stand with a community that believes in prevention. Because when prevention works, the story is simple: hope wins.
To learn more about upcoming activities and opportunities, email us at info@hopecouncil.org.
About Hope Council
Offering Hope | Helping to Heal
The mission of the Hope Council is to reduce the impact of substance use disorders in our community by providing education, prevention, intervention, and referral services.
The Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing supportive services to the Kenosha community in order to develop stronger individuals, stronger families, and a stronger Kenosha.
