How do you talk to teens about drugs and alcohol, and more importantly — should you bring it up?
The answer is yes, talk about it. By the time teens are in 12th grade, 46% of them have tried illicit drugs and 61% have abused alcohol.
Plus, many drug-related incidents in Nebraska are caused by alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana.
The best thing you can do is talk early and often with your teen about the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
The average age teen boys first try alcohol is 11 and for teen girls it’s 13.
Talking about underage drinking doesn’t give teens the idea to start drinking. Instead, they learn a different perspective that includes the dangers and risks. Having open conversations about alcohol use encourages kids to make responsible decisions when they are offered a drink.
Get the ball rolling on the conversation today.
As adults, you have a big influence on what your teen says yes (or no) to, and they could be saying yes sooner than you think.
According to SAMHSA, by the time teens are high school seniors, nearly half will have taken an illegal drug and more than 20% will have used a prescription drug for a nonmedical purpose.
It’s time to talk with your teen about drugs and learn the trends of smoking, vaping, and marijuana today.
There’s an opioid epidemic in our community and it’s impacting everyone, including teenagers.
Doctors often prescribe opioids like OxyContin, Hydrocodone, and Codeine for post-surgery pain for wisdom teeth removals, tonsillectomies, and setting a badly broken bone — procedures your kids might need one day.
Learn how to prevent opioid misuse, addiction, and overdoses today.
Learn more about the science of addiction, why stopping drug use can be difficult––and where to find help.
Test your knowledge about drugs and drug use.
Take this quiz on underage drinking and put your knowledge to the test.
Test your knowledge on what causes drug overdoses and learn how to save a life using naloxone.
Finding ways to focus on your emotional health is important. Now you can use My Strength to help you feel better and stay strong.
Hundreds of teens in Nebraska answered questions about underage drinking to get a sense of who’s drinking, what they are drinking, and how much they’re drinking.
Learn more about the history and effects of different drugs with these neat, printable fact sheets that can serve as handy resources that are easy to distribute to students.
Lessons, activities, and drug facts to educate teens about the effects and consequences of drug use.
Find “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign resources to work together with families to support the needs of students who may be struggling with substance use, mental health, or school-related issues.
School staff members can play a powerful role in the prevention of underage drinking and drug use among students. Together, educators and families can send strong and consistent messages to students about the use of alcohol and other drugs.
Ask, Listen, Learn is a free resource focused on preventing underage drinking and offers valuable strategies for classroom discussion.
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) provides support for parents of adult children facing substance use disorders.
Naloxone is a medication administered to counter the effects of an opioid overdose…
Kim is an advocate, activist, ally, constant learner, and a firm believer that everyone’s story has value, and our voices can make an impact.
Jason bounced around from home to home until he found his place with a gang, and later prison. Learn how he healed after trauma and overcame it in the darkest of times.
To help counter-balance the manipulative and deceptive messages and misinformation being directed at teens, parents should be prepared to answer the big questions about vaping.
The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.
The Good Samaritan Law encourages minors to call 911 when they suspect an alcohol overdose without fear of receiving an MIP (minor in possession). A revised version of the law, protecting both the intoxicated minor and the caller went into effect.
Nearly synonymous with the words Super Bowl is alcohol. From watch parties to highly anticipated commercials, it’s everywhere. Most parents don’t think twice about the alcohol exposure, but it can have serious, unintentional consequences on teenagers…
As cannabis becomes legal across more states in the U.S, it’s essential to know about the new cannabis products that slip under the radar or try to pass as “legal.”
This campaign features Nebraskans from around our state telling their stories about why they choose to live substance free.
Abbe Edgecombe, SCIP Coordinator, shares the harmful effects of marijuana, how to identify drug influence, information about E-Cigarettes, and tips for preventing teen drug use.
Abbe Edgecombe, SCIP Coordinator, and Officer Andre O’Connor of the Lincoln Police Department share how parents and guardians can stay informed about teen substance abuse.
Parents of adolescents face a tough dilemma about substance use: we may want our children to be abstinent, but what do we do if they are not?
Youth drug abuse is a high-profile public health concern, with at least 1-in-8 teenagers abusing an illicit substance in the last year.
In 2012, nearly 3/4 of students (72%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by the end of high school, and more than 1/3 (37%) have done so by 8th grade.
More than 2/3 of young people who abuse prescription drugs report that they get them from home.
Helping a child quit vaping can be stressful and confusing. You’re in good hands here. We’ve got a suite of resources for parents and other trusted adults just like you
Alcohol is the most commonly used illegal substance among teens in the U.S. Data from several national surveys show the use of alcohol among young people…
Teens are at a stage of development where they want more independence. While this is healthy and natural, but for many teens, it unfortunately involves underage drinking…
You might remember peer pressure when you were a teen, which is why you want to be proactive in talking with your kids about drinking. Learn how to approach the conversation here.
If you’re talking to your kids about the important issues in life, the subject of alcohol is bound to come up. Ideally, you’ll have the discussion long before they really need it…
Many kids and teens try alcohol during their high school and college years, before it’s legal for them to drink it. Parents have a big effect on their child’s choices…
Everyone can benefit from drinking less alcohol or not drinking at all. This tool checks your drinking and can give advice and if you want to drink less…
It’s that time of the year again, Prom. Many teens see Prom as a huge event while in high school and it is, but with any exciting event comes caution….
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is focusing on prevention efforts to reduce drug overdoses…
Did you know that 1.6 million people had an opioid use disorder in the past year?…
Nebraska is working to decrease opioid addiction through these prevention efforts…
See the latest statistics on the number of deaths due to opioid misuse in Nebraska…
Prescription opioids are medications that are chemically similar to endorphins…
Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant and that work in the brain to produce a variety of effects…
Fentanyl is a powerful, synthetic opioid medication that is approved for the treatment of severe pain…
Do you store your prescription opioids and other medications in the medicine cabinet in your bathroom?…
Research suggests that one of the most influential factors when a teen is growing up is a strong, open relationship with a parent or caregiver…
When your child hits their teen years they start to make their own decisions in regard to how they treat their body…
It only takes one time of trying an e-cigarette to become addicted…
Stress is a completely normal part of life, but sometimes it can cause problems…
OpiRescue is a FREE lifesaving tool for family and friends of people who are taking opioid medication…
High school students at York High are pledging no to drugs. The York County Prevention Network held a drawing contest for drug awareness during Red Ribbon Week…
Quitting binge drinking can be hard, but you’re not on your own…
Alcohol and drug abuse can hurt everyone in a family…
A parent who drinks in the house has an effect on their child, point-blank…
More than 1,600 teens abuse drugs each day…
Modeling positive behaviors early on will help your child in the long run, especially when it comes to alcohol…
CATCH My Breath is a nicotine vaping prevention program free and available for schools to utilize…
The Prevention Action Alliance created this one-pager for kids to help them understand addiction and how it relates to the brain…
Explaining addiction to kids can be challenging…
Naloxone can save lives when a potential overdose happens. This website gives young people the facts.
Narcan (naloxone) is an overdose reversal medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioids. If given immediately…
This site has comprehensive information on opioids written and presented just for teens.
Get evidence-based skills and strategies to advocate for and encourage your child if you have concerns they are using substances.
You’ll find a variety of information and facts on this resource page from this special program of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.
This article gives you excellent insight into teen prescription drug abuse, including opioids.
Marijuana can have several negative implications for your health…
Quitting vaping can be difficult, but it’s worth it in the end.
Looking for statistical information on young people’s marijuana use…
There is A LOT to know about teen drinking…
Do you think vaping is harmless? Think again…
Vape-related death and illness incidents are on the rise, so it’s important to talk to your teens about the dangers.
A podcast for teens made by teens where they discuss how to navigate life in high school…
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created a guide to help you spot the signs of underage drinking.
Monitoring the Future is an annual survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders…the survey has measured how teens report their drug and alcohol use and related attitudes…
This video by the Wisconsin Department of Justice powerfully shows what can happen if prescription drugs are abused.
If you vape, you are 4x more likely to start smoking cigarettes.
A strong, open relationship with a parent is one of the most important factors of healthy child …
June Jam focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle by making safe choices and choosing to not use drugs or alcohol.
It’s time to talk about the dangers of underage drinking.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a mistake you don’t want to make, as it can …
Nebraska MEDS is a coalition of state and community partners dedicated to educating …
This video by Students Against Nicotine shines a light on the negative effects and need for …
The widespread legalization of marijuana is causing confusion about its effects on the human body …
This video from a law enforcement article talks about the alcohol laws in Nebraska in regard to …
Many people are prescribed opioids out of medical necessity, but opioids can still be dangerous and …
E-cigarettes are unsafe for young people. Whether a young person uses nicotine or marijuana in …
Marijuana affects the development of teen brains. People who use marijuana have reported less …
Many people are prescribed steroids for medical reasons, but steroids can still be deadly …
Tobacco use is dangerous and can be deadly. Smoking is the leading cause of not only lung …
Cocaine is illegal, addictive, and dangerous. It can cause seizures, strokes, comas …
Heroin is illegal, addictive, and dangerous. It slows down your heartbeat and breathing …
Methamphetamine (meth) is illegal, addictive, and dangerous. It can be made from ingredients that …
Inhalants are dangerous and can be deadly. Each “huff” has the potential to kill, there is no …
You probably see and hear a lot about alcohol—from TV, movies, music, social media and your friends …
