Certified Johnny’s Ambassadors Trainer
Hannah Palmer is a dedicated drug-free advocate focused on promoting healthy lifestyles among young people. With a strong emphasis on the risks associated with marijuana use, she aims to foster a clear understanding of its effects and the benefits of living THC-free. Hannah’s passion for substance abuse prevention stems from her experiences growing up where she witnessed the negative impacts of marijuana on her peers. This motivated her to support others in making drug-free choices.
After earning a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science from Olivet Nazarene University, Hannah interned at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Washington, D.C., where she worked on community outreach and initiatives like the “One Pill Can Kill” campaign. Currently, she is employed at Northern Illinois Recovery Center, assisting clients in their recovery journeys, and managing an alumni program to build a supportive community.
As a Certified Johnny’s Ambassadors Trainer, Hannah actively engages in public speaking to raise awareness about the dangers of THC and empower young people to choose a drug-free life. She envisions a future where schools prioritize well-being over substance use, striving to counter the normalization of marijuana and promote healthier choices for a fulfilling life.
“Hannah did a GREAT job! We had about 260 students, including school chaperones, and I have heard all positive feedback so far.” – Karianne Lesperance, Healthy Youth Coalition, Menominee, MI Upper Peninsula
“Hannah was wonderful! We all learned so much, and I love how it relates to what we already talk about with our students on a daily basis— the importance of protecting their brains! Hannah brought the energy and was absolutely amazing! You can tell she has a true passion for this mission, which makes it so much more enjoyable to learn about!” – Summer Carter Smith, Program Coordinator, Livingston Parish SADD
“Hannah was awesome! Her expertise and compassion for the work was remarkable. Thank you for the opportunity.” – Jen Wright, EdS, Principal – Notus Jr. Sr. High School
“Hannah was fantastic! It was especially beneficial that Hannah was so close in age to the students. We all felt she had great impact when she spoke about “our generation, us, we, etc.” She was very kind. She was a great fit.” – Alexus Joplin, Prevention Specialist, Community Resource Council
WATCH A CLIP OF HANNAH IN ACTION
Listen to a recording of Hannah Palmer on WeThePeopleRadio.us.
Watch the recording from Hannah’s Glad to Be #THCFree webinar.
“Hannah did a great job! The presentation was really informative, and she has a lot of energy. She knows her stuff and is good about relating to the kids!” – Ellen Guess, Elementary School Counselor, Social Worker
POSSIBLE TOPICS
In addition to the Johnny’s Ambassadors material, Hannah presents this topic to teens:
Glad to Be #THCFree: Unlocking the Power of a Drug-Free Life!
Description:
Thousands of our teens, families, and communities have been impacted by THC products (vapes, dabs, smoke, edibles). Every day, many teens struggle with addiction, mental illness, and suicidal ideation. Most teens know fentanyl can kill you, and alcohol can poison you, etc., but there is so much misinformation out there about THC. Many teens falsely believe vaping THC is “natural,” or marijuana is “harmless.” So, it can be tough to live a #THCFree life growing up these days. Whether you’re feeling pressured to use it or criticized for not using it, it can often feel lonely and exhausting.
But here’s the good news: you’re not alone. Studies show that most teens choose not to use marijuana and live a #THCFree life. As legalization marches across the country and marijuana possibly become re-classified, we need to dispel the myths about THC and teach teens about the possible harms of using it. By educating our students and giving them the facts, we can prevent more of them from using it and choose to be #THCFree.
Using THC products don’t help teens feel better—in fact, using THC makes things worse. So, what do you do instead? How can you encourage others to live a #THCFree lifestyle?
Objectives:
- Choose to be #THCFree!
- Stand strong and learn refusal skills
- Find your support system
- Build your network and influence others