Cannabis (Marijuana)
Cannabis Use Disorder is a brain disease characterized by persistent cannabis-seeking and/or cannabis-taking behaviors, causing clinical and functional impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home (DSM-5).
Prevention programs strengthen protective factors by addressing those most at risk with accurate information about cannabis, articulate the potential consequences of misuse/abuse, and offer activities unrelated to using. To find the right program for your community, check out SAMHSA's Resource Center.
In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and encourage social distancing, Prevention Network staff will be working remotely for the foreseeable future. You can still access us through email or call us and leave a message.
Meet The Team
Prevention Network programs are operated by a small staff and the efforts of its Board Members, both volunteer and professional. Board Members are community volunteers and persons working in systems, disciplines and organizations concerned with substance abuse prevention and related issues. Prevention Network includes a Lansing Office, contracted employees, inspectors and youth decoys around the state, and the Board of Trustees.
Louise Montag (Harder)
Executive Director
Louise was hired in 2017 to coordinate the Michigan Higher Education Network (MIHEN), which oversees a group of over 200 College/University professionals and local coalition partners in Michigan aimed at discussing evidence-based prevention efforts on school campuses. She took the Executive Director position in August, 2020 and enjoys connecting with community partners on local and statewide prevention efforts. Louise was named one of the Top 10 Alumni within 10 Years at Oakland University and Michigan Preventionist of the Year in 2019 by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service. In addition to her role at Prevention Network, she enjoys staying active, playing her two dogs, and spending time outside.
O: 517-393-6890
Mike Tobias
Michigan Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (MCRUD) Coordinator
Mike is the Coordinator for the Michigan Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (MCRUD) and has been employed with Prevention Network since June 2010. Prior to his employment with PN, Mike was involved with MCRUD for about 10 years and served as chair for some of this time. For leisure he enjoys camping, fishing, reading, attending concerts and sporting events, traveling, and spending time with his family. He has been in long term recovery for over 20 years, has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan, and is a certified prevention consultant.
Alex Wray
Michigan Higher Education Network (MIHEN) Coordinator
Alex recently graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science and took the position as the Michigan Higher Education Network (MIHEN) Coordinator through Prevention Network in August of 2021. She enjoys connecting with others in the community on prevention efforts for youth and those on college campuses. In her free time, she enjoys reading detective, history, and romance novels. She also enjoys being outside, playing with her dog, and being with friends and family.
Ruth Schwendinger
Coalition Community Change Program Coordinator (C3PCo)
A science fiction fan and avid reader, Ruth recently relocated to SouthWest Michigan this winter after working as Prevention Specialist with the Community Mental Health Authority in the Thumb of Michigan for 4 years. Ruth served in Huron County as Naloxone Distribution Project Coordinator, Families Against Narcotics Interim
Treasurer, Chairperson of the Recovery & Prevention Roundtable, Chairperson of the Suicide Prevention Coalition, and served as an area representative with MCRUD and East-ROSC. Ruth holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and is certified as an instructor through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in Adult, Youth, Older Adult, Fire/EMS modules of Mental Health First Aid.
PREVENTION MICHIGAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joe Thayer
Co-Chair
Macomb Family Services
Tim Gill
Treasurer
Volunteer
Lisa Cattaneo-Boska
Secretary
Families Against Narcotics
Todd Bradley
MSU
Melea Bullock
Eaton RESA
Terry Newton
Volunteer
Larry Dobias
Volunteer
Liaisons
Lisa Coleman
MDHHS/OROSC
Achiles Malta
Regional Coordinator for SUD Prevention Services
Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health (SWMBH)