Back to School: Helping Teens Stay Focused on What Matters Most
Posted on 7/31/26
As another school year begins, let it begin with the most valuable thing you can give your teen: a belief in their future. Start the school year by having conversations about dreams instead of just grades. Ask your teen what they hope to accomplish this year. What are they excited about? What challenges do they...
READ MORE
The Opposite of Addiction is Connection
Posted on 6/26/26
Parents spend lots of time talking to their kids about what to avoid—drugs, alcohol, vaping, making poor decisions, etc. While these conversations are necessary, another conversation may be even more important: helping teens discover what matters most. One of the most meaningful concepts in prevention is this: the opposite of addiction is (not simply sobriety)— it is connection. Teens who feel connected to people, goals, hobbies, pets, sports,...
READ MORE
Mental Health Awareness Month
Posted on 5/21/26
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to slow down, check in, and remind ourselves that mental health is not separate from overall health. It affects how we think, how we feel, how we handle stress, how we build relationships, and how we make decisions. It also plays a powerful role in substance use prevention. For the Way...
READ MORE
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
Posted on 4/7/26
April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a time dedicated to increasing understanding around alcohol use, its impact on individuals and families, and the role we all play in prevention. While alcohol is often seen as a “normal” part of growing up, the reality is that early use can have lasting consequences. For young people, alcohol affects brain...
READ MORE
What Is a Substance Use Prevention Coalition?
Posted on 2/3/26
When people hear the word prevention, they often think of assemblies, flyers, or programs aimed at stopping substance use before it starts. While those efforts are important, true prevention goes much deeper. At its core, prevention is about building strong, connected communities where young people are supported, informed, and equipped to make healthy decisions. That’s...
READ MORE
Addiction in the West Valley: A Local Family’s Perspective
Posted on 9/30/25
A local West Valley family shared their deeply personal story of walking through their loved one’s struggle with addiction. Her name was Lorena, a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, friend—a person who was loved by many. The reality of addiction is that it settles in with little warning, allowing many signs to be brushed off as...
READ MORE
