Youth Substance Use

Info on popular substances of abuse. Comprehensive information on how to spot, prevent, and respond to teen substance use. Includes parenting tips and a parenting newsletter.

The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

http://www.drugfree.org

Science-based resources, thorough info to help parents prevent, intervene in, and find treatment for alcohol and drug use.

National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (NCADD)

http://www.ncadd.org

Educational materials on alcohol abuse/addiction and drug addiction.

Still Blowing Smoke

http://stillblowingsmoke.org

Up-to-date Info on ecigs. Great collection of articles.

Truth Initiative

https://truthinitiative.org

Anti-nicotine education, research and activism.

Be Smart. Be Well.

http://www.besmartbewell.com/drug-safety

Substance-related news stories updated daily and great educational videos

Drug Slang Dictionary

http://www.noslang.com/drugs/dictionary

Stay on top of the latest substance-related lingo.

The Vaults of Erowid

http://www.erowid.com

Controversial website that includes extensive "experience reports." One of the best ways to see what's out there at the moment, and how and why young people are using it.

Pill Identifier

https://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html

Search by color, shape and imprint codes

Current Statistics

Youth Risk Behavior Survey

National middle & high school survey that includes questions on substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors, providing a breakdown of state data.

Monitoring the Future Survey

Survey of national youth drug trends conducted for 25+ years

National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health

Surveys national drug abuse trends in kids age 12+

Nicotine Cessation

My LIfe My Quit

Teens receive 5 free text, phone or online support in the form of 5 sessions with a “Personal Quitting Coach” that uses motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral strategies.

This is Quitting

This text-based program from “Truth Initiative” involves receiving messages focused on building skills and confidence, and instant support when needed.

quitSTART App

Free smartphone app to guide teens and young adults in quitting nicotine. Serves as a coach, cheerleader and distracting playmate all in one!

Prevention/Discussion Tips

How to Prevent Drug Use at Every Age

FANTASTIC tips for conversations with kids from preschool to college-age.

Marijuana Talk Kit

Talking about marijuana is increasingly complicated and confusing as the laws and societal attitudes increasingly change around it. This is an EXCELLENT guide for how to have a scientifically and reality-based conversation with your adolescent.

10 Tips for Responding if you Discover Your Teen Drinking or Using Drugs

Tips to Help Your Teen Avoid Summer Substance Use

How to Talk to Kids About Drugs in the Age of Fentanyl (NY Times)

Safety First: A Reality-Based Approach to Teens and Drugs

Keeping Your Teens Drug Free: A Family Guide

Start Talking Before They Start Drinking: A Family Guide

Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child about Alcohol

Growing Up Drug-Free: A Parent's Guide to Prevention

6 Parenting Practices that Help Reduce the Chances your Child Will Develop a Drug or Alcohol Problem

Teen Drug Abuse: 14 Mistakes Parents Make

Online Safety

The Emoji Drug Code (DEA)

Depicts commonly used emojis for drug discussions & dealings on social media

Teens are Using Emojis and Secret Lingo to FInd Drugs (Today Show)

Understanding Addiction & Problem Use

Swiss Cheese Model Of Addiction (1 min Video)

A kid/teen-friendly explanation of risk vs "protective" factors for developing problem use

Addiction & The Brain For Kids (4 min Video)

An animated video explaining the brain science related to an addiction, giving a destigmatizing perspective on cravings and centering substance use above all else

Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong (14 min Video)

Johann Hari reviews the famous "Rat Park" experiment that highlighted the role that (lack of) connection plays in addiction

What Causes Addiction (The Rat Park Experiment) (3:30 min Video)

A shorter animated version of the "Rat Park experiment" that Johann Hari explains above

Teens & Parents React to Meeting Survivors of Addiction

This edition of the popular "React" series sparks a powerful opportunity to humanize people struggling with addiction, and highlight their journey in and out of it

Current Statistics

Youth Risk Behavior Survey

National middle & high school survey that includes questions on substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors, providing a breakdown of state data.

Monitoring the Future Survey

Survey of national youth drug trends conducted for 25+ years

National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health

Surveys national drug abuse trends in kids age 12+

Books

High: Everything You Want to Know About Drugs, Alcohol, and Addiction - David & Nic Sheff (for teens)
Just Say Know: Talking to Kids About Drugs and Alcohol - Cynthia Kuhn & Scott Swartzwelder
The Addiction Innoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence - Jessica Lahey
Buzzed: The Straight Facts about the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy - Cynthia Kuhn, Scott Swartzwelder, Wilkie Wilson
From Chocolate to Morphine: Everything You Need to Know about Mind-Altering Drugs - Andrew Weil & Winifred Rosen
Addiction Proof Your Child - Stanton Peele
One Choice: How Ten Seconds Can Change Your Life - Becky Savage (About the tragic accidental overdose of BOTH of her teen sons in one night)
The Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana - Laura Stack (About her son's cannabis-concentrate-related fatal depression)
From Binge to Blackout: A Mother and Son Struggle with Teen Drinking - Chris Volkmann & Toren Volkmann
Teens Under the Influence: The Truth About Kids, Alcohol and other Drugs - How to Recognize the Problem and What to Do About it - Katherine Ketcham & Nicholas Pace

Apps

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Drug Guide

Pill Identifier App

Talk. They Hear You. (underage drinking prevention)