Columbine Survivor Austin Eubanks Slated to Give Keynote Address at 2019 ASAP Conference

Conference to be Held May 14 at Saddlebrook

CLEARWATER, Fla. (April 9, 2019) – Columbine Survivor Austin Eubanks will be the keynote speaker at the 2019 Pasco Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention Conference: Strengthening Our Communities on Mental Health and Drug Prevention. Several hundred people are expected to attend this one-day conference May 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, in Wesley Chapel.

Eubanks, a person in recovery from a substance use disorder and an addiction treatment expert, will explain strategies to address the substance use issues that are plaguing our area and our nation. His story deals with the trauma of his injury, over-prescribed medications and active addiction.

“We are excited to be able to bring Austin Eubanks to our area,” said Monica Rousseau, board chairperson, Pasco ASAP.  “His personal story has given him special insight into the challenges individuals, families and communities are facing when it comes to addiction and mental illness.”

In addition to Eubanks, the morning plenary will feature leadership addresses from prominent professionals working in mental health or drug prevention, including Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, and Vice President of BayCare Behavioral Health, Gail Ryder. The afternoon will include several breakout sessions on topics such as compassion fatigue prevention, successful jail diversion programs, pharmacology of pain management, alternatives to pain medication, and faith based supports. 

“This conference brings together stakeholders from across the community to hear from experts and exchange ideas as we look for solutions for the pressing mental health and substance use issues we face as a community and a nation,” said Gail Ryder, vice president, BayCare Behavioral Health Services.

In less than 10 years, conference attendance has grown from 50 participants to more than 400 in 2017.

Registration is open online at https://www.golead.co/soc_registration/. The cost is $30 per participant. Lunch and CEUs/CMEs are included with the cost of registration.

About BayCare Behavioral Health
As part of BayCare Health System, a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area, BayCare Behavioral Health is committed to clinical excellence, innovation, and access to a continuum of recovery-focused therapeutic services. Care options include: inpatient; outpatient; early intervention and prevention; an employee and student assistance program; and case management services. Convenient treatment sites are located throughout the Tampa Bay area. For more information, go to www.baycare.org/services/behavioral-health. 

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org. 



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