Our Story

PREP, founded in 2017 in the midst of the opioid epidemic ravaging the United States, is based on the philosophy that America’s approach to substance abuse and addiction is in dire need of change. This approach, initiated decades ago with the so called “War on Drugs”, while focusing attention and effort toward criminalization and incarceration is not only a proven failure, but has also exhausted crucial resources needed to address these issues today.

PREP is committed to changing the conversation about substance abuse and addiction to reflect the need to dismantle this scourge from its core. Because we believe that the key to doing this revolves around an empowered and informed public, it is the focus of our company to provide critical information, prevention education, awareness and intervention as well as vigilance to the many issues involving substance abuse. PREP is dedicated to the notion that knowledge is power, that parents should be given the choice of action, and that successful intervention and education can provide hope for millions suffering from substance abuse and addiction.

Our Values

Our philosophy is driven by the premise that information is the predominant factor to solutions, and an informed public is an empowered public. Let us educate you.

Children need to have the tools to resist drugs and alcohol. Let us strive to build their self esteem and confidence so they can embrace the strength to do so.

Parents need the power of choice and individual focus on the needs of their children. Let us help you find these choices and intervene.
We all need to learn from past mistakes and safeguard the future. Let us all be vigilant.

Our Mission

With communities across The United States emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic, increased incidence of substance abuse and mental health comorbidities among our children has provided the unmistakable fact that our children are in crisis. Augmented by the rise in mass shootings, suicide and overdose rates across our country, we are in dire need of new, comprehensive programs to address each of these issues with a sense of urgency unforeseen in our history.  With substantial and comprehensive substance abuse prevention and mental health awareness programs lacking in our schools and our communities, PREP was founded under the basic principles of improving and enhancing our current approach to these crucially important issues for students in school and their parents, as well as members of our communities.

We want to champion a new approach toward substance abuse and addiction through:

  • Prevention Education - Empowering kids to embrace healthy choices by building self-esteem and confidence.

  • Public Awareness - Educating, training and assisting parents and professionals regarding the effects, factors and dangers of drugs and alcohol.

  • Intervention and Treatment - Creating and implementing individualized communicative and interventive prevention plans, giving parents the power of choice when they discover that their child is using drugs.

  • Vigilance - Learning from the past to safeguard the future.

Our Team

Paul Vecchione

Co-Founder

With his deep roots in Suffolk County, Long Island, Paul has been an educator since 2004 and holds two master's degrees from Long Island colleges. His entire professional career has been devoted to working with teenagers, giving him a unique perspective on the factors driving adolescent behavior, especially those leading to destructive decisions. His commitment to addressing the substance abuse crisis in his community has been a driving force in his career​​.

Co-Founder

Melanie Vecchione

Melanie Vecchione has been an educator for 17 years, working extensively with middle and high school students, including those with learning and social-emotional disabilities. She has dedicated her career to helping kids discover their strengths while addressing the growing mental health and overdose crisis impacting communities nationwide. A respected professional and mother of three young boys, Melanie is passionate about creating solutions that safeguard the future for her children and all kids in today’s challenging world.