Alliance on Underage Drinking

From our coalition coordinator, June Deibel: "Josh is one of my 'whys' - one of the main reasons I get up every day to work in prevention. He was one of my daughter's closest friends and we feel his loss in so many ways. If I can build awareness of the risks of prescription drug use/misuse and effect a change in our community, then I will be doing that in his memory along with others that have also struggled and lost their battles with addiction. I will continue to remember Josh with fondness and share his story of life and purpose."

We can't say it often enough...talking with your teen or young adult can make a huge difference in their decisions regarding substance use. This article provides great suggestions on having productive and well-received conversations. And don't forget, those conversations should be ongoing...

Preventing Teen Drug Use: How to Talk with Your Teen Having meaningful, ongoing conversations about drugs and alcohol, is key to helping keep your son or daughter healthy and safe.

Is addiction a choice and anyone can stop anytime they want?
Not necessarily...it's a choice to use a drug the first time but addiction is not a choice. Here's an interesting blog post from the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens.

Myth or Fact? “Addiction Is a Choice" Addiction is a brain disease. It’s not a choice, and it’s not a weakness. Drugs can change how the brain works, and those changes can last for a long time.

"Cyberbullying, suicidality and self-harm are just some of the topics that cause parents concern as the school year begins, and substance use can be connected to all of these."

5 Things Parents Need to Know About Back to School & Mental Health Mental health and substance use issues are just some of the topics that cause parents concern as the school year begins. Here's how to help.

Here are more invaluable tips on talking to your college kids about underage drinking and drug use! Open lines of communication is key!

Sending your kid off to college? How to approach underage drinking More than half of full-time college students said they drank last month

So much in the news lately about teens and va**ng but did you know many may be va**ng ma*****na? According to this study, teens who v**e ma*****na are more likely to use other drugs. And having even a small amount of ma*****na concentrate used in a v**e device is a felony. Stay informed.

Teens who use concentrated ma*****na more likely to use other drugs The highly concentrated form of the drug can be v**ed and doesn't smell like traditional pot.

Many parents are dropping their kids off at college this week. It's not too late to have important conversations about drug and alcohol use at college - their life may depend on it!

Week one of college, my son fatally overdosed. Schools must try to stop similar tragedies. Our son died of an overdose during his first week of college. As you drop off your freshmen, ask schools how they help students fight substance abuse.

Here’s another opportunity to see this important documentary! TODAY! Chris Herren talks to young people about the realities of addiction and society’s drug and alcohol culture.

SET YOUR DVR! Don’t miss , a substance use prevention education film featuring former NBA player and wellness advocate Chris Herren of Herren Project, to air on ABC today at 3pm ET!

Lots of educators and exhibitors here at the RISD New Teachers Vendor Fair! We’re here to build awareness of how we can help them with presentations, Red Ribbon Week, curriculum, trainings, and lots of resources about substance misuse among our youth.

Come and visit us today at Mayor’s Back to School Fair! Get an up close view of our REAL pig lungs! Think our games look easy? Put on a pair of our impaired goggles and try again! What’s the BEST part? EVERYONE GETS A GOODY BAG! Yes parents, EVEN YOU!

Recovery Resource Council Dallas Area Drug Prevention Partnership

School is starting again in just a few weeks. Listen to this message for parents from NIDA director, Dr. Nora Volkow, on talking with your kids and helping them make the right decisions. After all, if they aren't given the right information on the dangers of substance use, how will they know how to withstand the inevitable peer pressure?

Dr. Nora Volkow | A Message to Parents The 2018 Monitoring the Future Survey (MTF) results show a dramatic spike in teen use of va**ng - both ni****ne and other drugs. The study also casts a shado...

Plan for a secure summer with a safe word or phrase. If your kids are headed to summer parties, make sure they know a secret phrase to signal if they feel uncomfortable, need a ride or want to leave.