Partnership to End Addiction

08/14/2025

One of the many consequences of toxic achievement culture is an increased risk for substance use and mental health challenges in teens and young adults. This week, we’ve partnered with Jennifer B. Wallace to help shine a light on the impact “mattering” can have on reducing this risk among our children.

Learn more at drugfree.org/prevention

Need support? drugfree.org/getsupport

08/12/2025

Teens who feel like they matter to their parents are more likely to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically and less likely to turn to substances.

This back-to-school season, we are teaming up with Jennifer B. Wallace (author of Never Enough) to share simple ways to show your child they matter, because deep connection is one of the most powerful tools for prevention.

Learn more at drugfree.org/prevention

Need support? drugfree.org/getsupport

08/07/2025

Help your teen grow into a confident, resilient young adult by encouraging healthy risk taking. In this video, we talk about how parents can model positive risk-taking behaviors, support their teen’s growth, and create a safe environment for them.

👍 Learn how to:
▪️Share your own healthy risk-taking stories
▪️Be a role model for lifelong learning
▪️Support your teen through challenges
▪️Celebrate effort, not just outcomes

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 These tips will help build trust, independence, and self-confidence in your child.

08/04/2025

Are you wondering how to help your teenager try a new activity and become more independent? Trying something new is taking a healthy risk — this is part of how teens form their identity, gain independence, and build real-world decision-making skills. This video will help you:

• Guide your teen in planning their own goals

• Encourage problem-solving and decision-making

• Help them build confidence, resilience, and real-world skills

Letting teens take the lead (even when it’s hard!) teaches them ownership and accountability — and sets them up for success in life.

07/30/2025

Every young person deserves a mentor in their corner 🤝

As parents, we can't do it all alone—and we don't have to. Mentorship complements strong parenting by giving young people additional emotional support, positive role models, and safe spaces to navigate challenges.

Look for trusted adults already in your teen's life: coaches, teachers, club leaders, or family friends. Sometimes the mentor they need is closer than you think.

Swipe through to learn how mentors help prevent substance use and what signs might indicate your teen could benefit from additional support.

Together, we can help the young people in our lives to build resilience and make healthy choices.

Visit drugfree.org/prevention for more prevention resources.

07/28/2025

Todo joven merece un mentor a su lado.

Como padres, no podemos hacerlo todo solos, ni tenemos por qué hacerlo. Un mentor o un adulto responsable complementa una educación sólida al brindarles a los jóvenes apoyo emocional adicional, ejemplos positivos a seguir y espacios seguros para afrontar los retos.

Busque adultos de confianza que ya estén en la vida de su adolescente: familiares, entrenadores, maestros, o amigos de la familia. A veces, el mentor que necesita está más cerca de lo que usted cree.

Deslice la pantalla para descubrir cómo los mentores ayudan a prevenir el consumo de sustancias y qué señales podrían indicar que su adolescente podría beneficiarse de apoyo adicional.

Juntos, podemos ayudar a los jóvenes de nuestra vida a desarrollar resiliencia y a tomar decisiones saludables.

Visita drugfree.org/recursos para obtener más información.

07/24/2025

⚠️ Final Episode: The Fentanyl Crisis

As we wrap up our summer video series, Partnership helpline Specialist Karla Castro-Soto addresses the most critical threat facing teens today: fentanyl.

The devastating reality:

▪️Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than he**in

▪️It's found in counterfeit pills that look identical to real prescriptions

▪️It can be mixed with other drugs without users knowing

▪️Just one counterfeit pill can be fatal

Most teens don't intend to take fentanyl. They think they're getting something else entirely. Counterfeit pills are virtually indistinguishable from legitimate medications, making them impossible to identify by sight.

🛡️ How to protect your teen: Practice role-playing scenarios about declining unidentified pills and managing peer pressure. These conversations can save lives.

As we enter Overdose Awareness Month in August, remember that prevention starts with preparation and open dialogue.

If you need support discussing fentanyl or any substance use concerns, our helpline specialists like Karla are here to help at drugfree.org/helpline

Thank you for following our summer series. Stay informed, stay connected, and keep the conversations going.

Consider subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/partnershiptoendaddiction

07/22/2025

This is one of my favorite photos and happiest memory that I have with my Uncle Jonathan before we lost him to addiction 12 years ago.

When we lost him, I was only 13 and I remember feeling so confused and helpless. My family was overwhelmed by questions we didn't know how to ask, let alone answer. What could we have done differently? How did we miss the signs?

Now I understand that addiction is a disease—not a choice, not a moral failing.

This November, I'm lacing up my running shoes for the TCS New York City Marathon to honor Uncle Jonathan's memory and to make sure other families don't have to walk alone. Every mile I run will be for him, and for every family affected by addiction.

If your family has been impacted by substance use disorder, please know you're not alone. Partnership to End Addiction has free resources, support, and hope when everything feels hopeless.

Uncle Jonathan, this one's for you. 💙

Please consider supporting this cause that's so close to my heart: https://hope.drugfree.org/endurance-teams/mkwinfield

-Mary Katherine Winfield, Runner, Partnership to End Addiction’s 2025 NYC Marathon Team

07/17/2025

🔍 Ni****ne pouches are the fastest-growing ni****ne product among young people, and Partnership helpline specialist Karla Castro-Soto explains why parents need to know about them.

What they are:
▪️Small, tobacco-free pouches placed between lip and gum
▪️Deliver high doses of ni****ne directly into bloodstream
▪️Size of Mentos or Chicklets gum
▪️They come in discreet circular containers that can be mistaken for candy or gum

Why they're dangerous for teens:
▪️Flavors like mint, fruit, and coffee are designed to appeal to youth
▪️Fewer regulations because they're "tobacco-free"
▪️Extremely discreet and accessible
▪️Highly potent and addictive ni****ne content
▪️Promoted by influencers, especially those popular with young males

🔎 Warning signs:
▪️Small white pouches or circular containers
▪️White stains on clothing
▪️Frequent spitting
▪️Dry mouth, nausea, headaches
▪️Anxiety, irritability, restlessness

💬 Conversation starter: "What have you heard about ni****ne pouches?" especially if you see them used on social media or TV shows.

Need guidance on ni****ne conversations? Our helpline specialists like Karla provide support at drugfree.org/helpline

****nePouches

07/15/2025

PARENTS: Have you watched Netflix's "Adolescence" series?

Our leading prevention expert, Linda Richter, shares her professional perspective on the show and her takeaways for parents.

While the show creatively addresses important teen issues, it may raise concerns many parents hadn't considered—especially for those with younger teens and boys.

Linda identifies three key principles for raising healthy, resilient kids that emerge from the series:
◾Cultivating connection and communication
◾Encouraging empathy and understanding
◾Fostering collaboration and support

Visit drugfree.org/prevention for practical tips and resources to support your family's wellbeing.

07/10/2025

07/09/2025

💊 Academic pressure can drive teens to misuse prescription medications. Partnership helpline specialist Karla Castro-Soto walks parents through what they need to know.

The reality:
◾️Stimulants are used as "study drugs"
◾️Young people also misuse them for weight loss
◾️Kids think they're safe because "doctors prescribe them"
◾️Academic pressure makes them feel like performance enhancers, not drugs

🔒 Action steps:
◾️Secure or lock medications at home
◾️Be proactive and ask questions
◾️Remember: No one should take medication unless it's prescribed to them

💬 Start conversations that give teens permission to be curious and ask questions about what they're seeing or feeling pressured to try.

Need support navigating prescription drug conversations? Our helpline specialists like Karla provide confidential guidance at drugfree.org/helpline.