As state lawmakers consider issues affecting youth health and safety, local prevention advocates are planning to bring community perspectives to the State Capitol during Advocacy Day in Jefferson City.Advocacy Day is a yearly event organized by Missouri Prevention Advocacy Leaders, bringing together prevention professionals from across the state to meet with elected officials and discuss youth substance use prevention and related policy issues. Beacon Mental Health Community Prevention Specialist Emily Barnes emphasized the day offers local voices an opportunity to participate in conversations that often occur far from their communities.“It’s an important day for Excelsior Springs Substance Abuse Free Environments (SAFE) members and other prevention leaders to come together around relevant topics at the state level and not just the local level,” said Barnes.The primary goal of Advocacy Day is education. While long-term policy change is oft...