Kym Laube serves as the Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services, Inc. (HUGS, Inc.), based in Westhampton Beach, NY. With over 35 years of experience in substance use prevention, Kym has dedicated her career to promoting innovative strategies that empower individuals and communities. Since stepping into the Executive Director role in 2002, she has spearheaded the organization’s efforts to deliver comprehensive prevention services and recovery supports, while passionately advocating across the continuum of care.
As a sought-after national trainer and speaker, Kym has collaborated with leading organizations such as CADCA, Opioid Response Network, state associations, and corporate entities, bringing her expertise to diverse audiences. Her journey with HUGS, Inc. began in 1986, when she participated in the Teen Institute program as a high school student. This firsthand experience ignited her understanding of the prevention’s transformative impact on young people, preparing them to lead and inspire. From a student leader to Executive Director, Kym’s mission has remained steadfast: empowering individuals to realize their full potential and become catalysts for change.
Kym’s commitment to making a difference extends far beyond her executive role. She actively serves on various local, state, and national boards and task forces, championing policy changes that impact families and communities. As a member of the NYS Governor’s Opiate Task Force, she helped shape state-wide reforms, including prescribing practices, extended treatment stays, and family support initiative.
PRESENTATION TOPIC:
If Prevention and Recovery Just Sat Down for a Cup of Coffee
Sometimes it can seem as if prevention, harm reduction, and recovery are at opposite ends of the spectrum, however all share a goal and need for reducing harm and developing healthier communities. By drawing lines in the sand, those working toward improvinig prevention, treatment and recovery from substance use disorder cannot use each other as meaningful resources, thereby short-circuiting conversations that could benefit everyone. By breaking down these silos and truly banding together to focus on healthier communities and individuals, we can drastically reduce triggers for those in treatment and recovery and delay the onset of use for our youth.
PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES:
- Increase knowledge base for all partners and key stakeholders in the Continuum of Care.
- Define the difference between Universal, Selected and Indicative prevention and Harm Reduction.
- Identify ways prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery can strategically work together to reduce stigma and strengthen overall programming.
- Breakdown silos and create opportunities for a deeper cross section collaboration.
