Meet the team
Dwight Holton Executive Director of Lines for Life and former U.S. Attorney for Oregon Dwight Holton is Oregon’s former U.S. Attorney and current Chief Executive Officer of Lines for Life, the leading suicide and substance abuse prevention nonprofit in the Northwest. Lines for Life helps over 50,000 families a year with its crisis line services, including the Suicide Lifeline and the innovative YouthLine and Military Helpline. As a part of the Veterans Crisis Line network, Lines for Life helped nearly 25,000 vets and family members in 2015 alone. Lines for Life also promotes healthy kids and communities through drug and alcohol awareness, youth and parent drug prevention education programs, advocacy and public policy. Mr. Holton took the reins at Lines for Life after 15 years as a federal prosecutor, most recently as Oregon United States Attorney. He prosecuted hundreds of federal criminal cases, including terrorism and violent crime, narcotics trafficking, fraud and environmental crimes. Through his work as a prosecutor, Mr. Holton learned the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies – and as U.S. Attorney, he launched efforts to improve access to addiction treatment and better mental health services. For example, in 2010, Mr. Holton convened the first statewide Prescription Drug Abuse Summit in the nation – and then helped nearly two dozen other U.S. Attorneys throughout the nation follow suit. Holton brought together leaders from the healthcare industry, providers, treatment specialists, law enforcement officials and educators to shed light on the epidemic of Rx abuse and build solutions. Mr. Holton was selected as first-ever recipient of OHSU Pain Awareness and Investigation Network (PAIN) Award for his efforts to address the prescription drug overdose epidemic in Oregon. At Lines for Life, Mr. Holton is leading the organization to expanded work in prevention of suicide and substance abuse. Lines for Life is launching an innovative school climate initiative designed to implement a comprehensive approach to improving school climate and student mental health, academic performance, attendance and more equitable discipline practices. Lines for Life is also working to build youth suicide prevention efforts in regions throughout Oregon. Mr. Holton volunteers at his kids’ public elementary school, serves on the boards of the Southwest Community Health Center, Salmon Safe, and the Basic Rights Oregon PAC, and coaches his 8 year old daughter’s futsal team. Since 2002, he has taught classes at Lewis and Clark Northwestern School of Law in Portland. Mr. Holton lives in Southeast Portland with his wife, Mary Ellen Glynn, and their children.