Youth Prevention & Education
Two Decades of Youth Prevention & Student Education
For more than two decades, James Yancey has worked with middle and high school students in substance-use prevention, tobacco and vaping prevention, healthy decision-making, peer-pressure resistance, and suicide-prevention education.
His youth-prevention experience began through ten years of leadership with the Jackson County Coalition and continued through his work with Dream of Hattiesburg, a nonprofit prevention organization that served Mississippi communities for more than 40 years before concluding operations in June 2026.
Working alongside trained prevention staff, James helped deliver evidence-based prevention education to more than 27,000 middle school students. He also trained prevention specialists working with the Mississippi State Department of Health in evidence-based prevention practices.
His approach with students is interactive, age-appropriate, practical, and nonjudgmental. Rather than relying on lectures or fear, he helps young people recognize outside influences, respond confidently to peer pressure, make informed decisions, and understand that protecting their health is an act of personal leadership.
Youth presentation topics include:
Tobacco, vaping, and nicotine prevention
Peer-pressure resistance and healthy decision-making
Substance-use prevention
Suicide prevention and help-seeking
Personal leadership and positive advocacy
Your Life. Your Choice. Don’t Let Nicotine Decide