Partnership for a Drug Free Hall (PDFH) is an alliance that engages the community to create conditions toward the prevention and reduction of substance abuse. PDFH is comprised of agencies and community members dedicated to providing Gainesville-Hall County with information, resources and actions to address illegal drugs and substance abuse in our community. Alcohol and drug addictions destroy lives, but working together, we can help those struggling with addiction and their families learn to live in recovery and lead fulfilling, productive lives.
Goals:
- Promote community substance abuse prevention programs, resources and services.
- Create awareness and reduce risk factors among youth and families by providing drug use prevention, education, outreach programs and services.
- Serve as a catalyst for resources and help instill the tools needed to achieve and sustain a long-term recovery.
- Change the social environment by working to eliminate the stigma related to substance abuse.
PDFH represents many sectors including health, wellness, business, education, law enforcement, the judicial system and more. In addition to providing education and valuable resources, PDFH representatives can come to your organization and conduct drug overdose training, suicide prevention training, alcohol and drug awareness training, and more.
PDFH Training & Resources
- How to recognize the warning signs of substance abuse
- Tips for speaking to your child about alcohol or substance abuse
- Assistance in finding substance abuse treatment for a loved one
- Guidance in Sustaining a Drug Free Workplace
- 3 Steps to Save a Life: Opioid Overdose Training
- How the criminal justice system is helping mitigate the impact of substance abuse in our community
- Tobacco Education Training
To learn more about the Partnership for a Drug Free Hall, contact PDFH Chair Jessi Emmett, Director, Treatment Services & Accountability Courts (Hall & Dawson Counties), jemmett@hallcounty.org

Our Executive Committee
Name | Area of Focus | Title/Position |
Adam Raulerson | Chair, Mental Health Sector | Laurelwood |
Brannon Nix | Chair, Fundraising | Turner, Wood and Smith Insurance |
Deb Bailey | Founding Member & Government Liaison | Northeast Georgia Health System |
Jacob Weiers | Chair, Hall County Education Sector | Hall County School System |
Jessi Emmett | Chair, Courts & Law Enforcement Sector | Hall County Treatment Services |
Judy Brownell | Coordinator, Partnership for a Drug Free Hall | Center Point |
Kemie West | Founding Member & Chair, Business Sector | Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce |
Kristy Basinger | Co-Chair, Medical & Community Health Sector | PT, CHT, Gainesville Physical Therapy |
Mark Mobley | Chair, Faith Sector | Director, Center Point |
Reese Daniel | Founding Member & Chair, Recovery Community | Addiction Counselor & Volunteer |
Susan Daniel | Marketing & Communication Consultant | Owner, Creative Inc. |
Suzanne McNail | Co-Chair, Medical & Community Health Sector | Northeast Georgia Health System |
Tanya Sanders | Chair, Gainesville City Education Sector | The Hub at Gainesville High School |
Our Partner Members
Name | Area of Focus | Title/Position |
Andrea Williamson-English | School | Hall County School System Lead Nurse |
Ashley Stephens | Recovery Community | Peer Support, NGHS |
Avery Nix | Recovery Community | Eagle Overlook |
Bianca Prieto | Recovery Community | Peer Support, NGHS |
Bobbie Gay | Recovery Community | Volunteer |
Cindy Driggers | Mental Health | Benchmark Human Services |
Cindy Gay | Recovery Community | Volunteer |
Cindy Levi | Mental Health | CEO, Avita Partners |
Cynthia Park | Faith | Senior Associate Rector, Grace Episcopal Church |
Dallas Gay | Recovery Community | 3 Steps to Save a Life |
Daniel Thompson | Medical/Community Health | Georgia Healthy Family Alliance |
Dave Smith | Faith | Volunteer |
David White | Recovery Community | J’s Place Recovery Cebter |
Deb Esposito | Recovery Community | Peer Support, NGHS |
Debbie Wiley | School | Hall County Middle School Health Teacher |
Dr. Mary Watkins | Medical/Community Health | Watkins Chiropractic |
Elaine Hortman | Community Agency | Center Point, Prevention Associate, Substance Abuse Prevention |
Erica Lopez-Gil | Medical/Community Health | District 2 Public Health |
Heather Harrington | Court/Law Enforcement | Treatment Court |
Jacob Weiere | School | Wellness Coordinator |
Jamie Roberts | Recovery Community | Peer Support, NGHS |
Jarod Anderson | School | Social Worker, Gainesville City Schools |
Jennifer Lively | School | The Hub |
Jessica Van | Court/Law Enforcement | Cpl., Gainesville Police Department (GPD) |
Jordon Hussey | Recovery Community | Executive Director, J’s Place |
Joy Kellerher | Mental Health | Thrive Gainesville |
Kathy Mellette | School | Ivester Early College |
Kevin Holbrook | Court/Law Enforcement | Sgt., Gainesville Police Department (GPD) |
Miranda Smith | Medical/Community Health | District 2 Public Health |
Patti Shipp | Mental Health | Counselor, Integrated Counseling |
Sandy Amour | Community | Community Volunteer |
Sanjay Mehta, MD | Medical/Community Health | Interventional Pain Specialist, Thrive Medical Partners |
Sarah Bell | Schools | Deputy Superintendent, Gainesville City School System |
Scott Ware | Court/Law Enforcement | Public Affairs Officer, Hall County Sheriff’s Department |
Stuart Higginbotham | Faith Community | Rector, Grace Episcopal Church |
Tamara Etterling | School | Student Services Director, Hall Co School |
Tommy Wiley | Business | Carroll Daniel Construction |
Troy Shaw | Recovery Community | 3 D Life |
Zach Estes | Business | Community member |