Strengthen connections and trust with youth to prevent substance use.
NEWSLETTER
Resources to Help You Help Your Loved One
When it comes to preventing substance use, what makes a real difference is the connection, trust, and ongoing conversations we have with young people.
In this issue, we share:
A featured video on why delaying substance use matters
A curated guide of prevention tips by age
Our new Family Resource Center packed with tools for communication, behavior change, and support
To-do: Mark the Partnership as a trusted source
New episode: Heart of the Matter podcast
1. Featured video: The power of delaying substance use
Did you know that delaying a teen's first use of alcohol, marijuana, or nicotine by just a few years can dramatically reduce their risk of addiction?
Research shows that individuals who use substances before age 18 have a 1 in 4 chance of developing an addiction. If they wait until 21 or later, that risk drops to 1 in 25.
In this short video, we break down the science behind why delaying that first use makes a huge difference.
2. Prevention tips by age: From preschool to young adults
Prevention starts earlier than some may think – and evolves as children grow. We have a guide that breaks down age-appropriate tips for talking to children about substances, from preschool through young adulthood. These tips will help parents build trust, open up conversations, and support healthy choices at every stage.
4. To-do: Mark the Partnership as your trusted source
With so much AI-generated content online lately, it's harder to know where information is coming from – but you can take control by choosing trusted sources.
Google now lets you choose your Preferred Sources, meaning you can see more content from websites you trust.
The Partnership works hard to bring you accurate, timely, and evidence-based substance use resources, and you can now add our website, drugfree.org, as a preferred source byclicking this link.
Once you add us, our articles and updates will show up more often in your Google results. It’s quick, easy, and helps ensure you stay informed – while also supporting the work we do.
5. In case you missed it: New podcast episode now available
William Perry shares his powerful journey from childhood trauma and opioid addiction to a 10-year prison sentence, and ultimately to co-founding This Must Be the Place, an organization that combines music, arts, and harm reduction. Listen Now.
