The C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project™
Starting the Conversation Before Addiction Starts
Creating early conversations, awareness, and support before substance use becomes a life-altering challenge.
Substance use challenges rarely begin overnight. They often develop over time through a combination of life experiences, mental health struggles, trauma, isolation, lack of connection, and the absence of healthy support systems.
Prevention begins before addiction begins.
The C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project is a community-driven movement focused on starting conversations earlier — before young people find themselves struggling with substance use, addiction, or the consequences that follow.
Our vision is simple:
Create communities where young people feel seen, supported, valued, and empowered to make healthy choices.
Prevention is not just about telling young people what not to do. True prevention begins by understanding their experiences, recognizing risk factors, building protective relationships, and ensuring that every child has access to caring adults who can help guide them through life's challenges.
Why This Conversation Matters
Many young people who struggle with substance use later in life first experienced challenges much earlier:
- Feeling like they don't belong
- Struggling with self-worth or identity
- Experiencing bullying, isolation, or rejection
- Living with trauma or difficult circumstances
- Searching for acceptance, confidence, or relief
- Lacking positive support systems
The C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project encourages communities to look beyond the behaviour and ask a more important question:
“What is happening in this young person's life that may be causing them pain?”
One Tool Within the Movement
The C.O.L.M.E.R. Check™
The C.O.L.M.E.R. Check™ is a simple early-awareness framework — a starting point for parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and community members to notice concerns and start a conversation before substance use becomes a bigger challenge.
Changes
Have you noticed changes in behaviour, mood, relationships, responsibilities, or habits?
Occasions
When and why are substances being used? Are there patterns connected to stress, emotions, social situations, or coping?
Life Impact
Is substance use affecting school, work, relationships, health, finances, or personal goals?
Motivation
What role is substance use playing? Is it helping, avoiding, escaping, or managing something deeper?
Escalation
Has use increased over time? Are more substances, higher amounts, or more frequent use becoming normal?
Readiness
Is the person ready to reflect, seek support, or make a change?
Building Prevention Together
Prevention cannot be the responsibility of one person or one organization. It requires an entire community working together. The C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project encourages conversations between:
Parents and Families
Creating open communication where children feel safe discussing struggles, emotions, peer pressure, and difficult experiences without fear of judgment.
Teachers and School Communities
Recognizing early warning signs, supporting vulnerable students, and creating environments where every child feels included and valued.
Coaches, Mentors, and Club Leaders
Understanding that positive adult relationships can become a powerful protective factor in a young person's life.
Community Leaders and Organizations
Creating stronger networks of support for children, youth, and families who may be facing challenges alone.
Together, we can move from reacting to addiction toward preventing the conditions that allow addiction to take hold.
Supporting Youth and Young Adults Through Education
As young people approach adulthood, honest conversations about substances become increasingly important. The C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project promotes education, awareness, and informed decision-making.
Our message is clear:
The safest choice when it comes to substance use is abstinence. Choosing not to use alcohol or drugs eliminates the risk of developing a substance-related problem. However, we also recognize that education must meet people where they are.
For young adults 16 and older, prevention also means understanding:
- What substance use disorder is
- How occasional use can develop into problematic use
- The warning signs of addiction
- How substances can impact mental health, relationships, education, careers, and future goals
- When and where to seek help
Knowledge creates awareness. Awareness creates opportunity. Opportunity creates change.
A Community Invitation
The C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project is an invitation to start a conversation. We believe every community has the ability to create meaningful prevention initiatives that support children, youth, and families.
Whether you are a parent, educator, coach, mentor, community organization, or someone who simply cares about the next generation, we invite you to ask:
“What can we do today to help a young person feel supported tomorrow?”
Prevention starts with connection.
Prevention starts with compassion.
Prevention starts with a conversation.
Join the Conversation
The C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project is beginning with one simple goal: bring people together to create awareness, encourage early intervention, and build stronger communities where young people have the support they need to thrive.
If you believe prevention begins before addiction, we invite you to be part of the conversation.
Together, we can help change the story before the struggle begins.
Speaking Engagements & Community Conversations
Bringing Awareness, Hope, and Prevention Conversations to Your Community
The C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project is built on the belief that meaningful change begins with honest conversations.
Through personal experience, recovery education, and a passion for helping others, Troy Colmer brings a message of awareness, prevention, resilience, and hope to communities looking to better understand substance use, mental health, and the importance of early support.
Speaking engagements are available for organizations that want to encourage open conversations and provide education around prevention, recovery, and supporting those who may be struggling.
Presentations can be customized for:
- Schools and educational institutions
- Businesses and workplaces
- Places of worship and faith communities
- Service organizations such as Lions Clubs and Rotary Clubs
- Community centres
- Boys and Girls Clubs
- Children and youth camps
- Mental health awareness events
- Banquets and fundraising events
- Conferences and conventions
- Tradeshows and community gatherings
Topics may include:
- The importance of starting prevention conversations early
- Understanding substance use and substance use disorder
- Recognizing early warning signs
- Supporting youth and vulnerable individuals
- The role of parents, mentors, coaches, and community leaders
- Reducing stigma around addiction and recovery
- Building communities where people feel seen, supported, and valued
- The journey from struggle to recovery and hope
Every community has a role to play in prevention. Whether you are looking to educate students, support employees, strengthen your organization, or bring awareness to an important community issue, the C.O.L.M.E.R. Prevention Project would welcome the opportunity to be part of that conversation.
Invite Troy to Speak
If your organization is interested in hosting a presentation, workshop, or community conversation, please reach out. All speaking inquiries begin with a virtual conversation to understand your goals, audience, and the message you hope to share.