A graduate of Princeton University, Mr. Hicks has been an alcohol and drug policy advocate for more than 20 years, working closely with city and county governments, public safety agencies, and community coalitions. He has extensive substance use prevention experience and important lessons learned in adapting strategies to combat the opioid crisis in the new synthetic era.

Dan chairs the Community Overdose Awareness and Solutions Team (COAST) Ventura County) and, working with stakeholder agencies, has been instrumental in developing a wide range of earned and paid media efforts to support community health and safety.