Gratitude and appreciation will shift your focus from what is wrong to what is right. For example, what if, for the next 30 days, when you came home, you caught each person in your household doing something right and told them about it? How would that impact them? How would that affect your life?

Here are a few additional ways to make gratitude and appreciation your usual way of being:

1. Don’t underestimate the power of a simple “thank you” or note of appreciation. Handwritten thank you notes or notes of appreciation have a powerful and positive impact on those who receive them.
2. Count your blessings. Write or journal the things that you are grateful for on a weekly (or daily) basis.
3. Pay it forward. Look for ways to benefit others and look out for others. Check on your neighbors and connect with family and friends through calls, texts, or video means. Let them know why you appreciate them.

We can express gratitude through prayer and meditation. And, as you are grateful to others, remember to be kind to yourself and practice self-care.

The WOW Coalition is a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana, and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information, visit wayoutwestcoalition.org/resources or contact WOW Coalition Program Director Larry Tracey at (623) 208-3230 or email: larry@youth4youth.org

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Did you know? Youth use social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram to buy and sell drugs.

Popular Drugs Among Teens

Teens’ most commonly used drugs include marijuana, prescription drugs, and e-cigarettes or vaping devices. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nearly 30% of high school seniors have used marijuana in the past year, making it the most widely used illicit drug among teens. Prescription drugs, such as opioids and stimulants, are also commonly abused by teenagers, often obtained from friends or family members with legitimate prescriptions. E-cigarettes have gained popularity in recent years, with the NIDA reporting that over 20% of high school seniors have used them in the past month.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse among teenagers can lead to a range of negative consequences, including addiction, impaired judgment and decision-making, and increased risk of accidents and violence. Additionally, drug abuse can cause physical harm, such as damage to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Furthermore, using drugs can also lead to legal problems, including arrest and imprisonment.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing teen drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach, including education and parental and community involvement. Parents play a crucial role in preventing drug abuse by talking to their children about the dangers of drugs, monitoring their behavior, and setting clear boundaries. Educating teenagers about the risks of drug abuse and its effects on their health, relationships, and future prospects are also essential. Community organizations such as the Way Out West (WOW) Coalition and schools can also provide educational programs and resources to help prevent drug abuse among teens.

Finally, addressing the root causes of drug abuse among teenagers, such as stress, peer pressure, and underlying mental health issues, is essential. By addressing these underlying issues, providing support, and educating young people, we can help teens make healthy choices and live drug-free lives.

Author Larry Tracey is the founder of Youth4Youth. Y4Y develops success and leadership skills in youth and promotes school safety by treating everyone with respect. He serves as WOW Coalition Program Director, a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana, and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information, visit Youth4Youth.org or wayoutwestcoalition.org/resources

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ONE pill can kill. And—it is not just pills like Percocet, Adderall, and Xanax—it is being found in other street drugs such as marijuana, heroin and cocaine.

Parents like Rebecca Kiessling did not realize the threat our nation is truly facing until her two boys died of fentanyl poisoning. She expressed in an interview with Tucker Carlson, “People didn’t used to die from experimenting with drugs.” Before Congress, she stated, “…law enforcement made it clear to me that this fentanyl came from Mexico. It came from our southern border. I didn’t know what fentanyl was. I didn’t know what Narcan was. …I didn’t know people were dying.”

Parents, they need you. Your son or daughter is not immune—talk to your children. It is not your father’s Percocet or your grandmother’s weed. Prevention starts at home; keep communication open and build those relationships. Kids often do not want to disappoint mom and dad; this can lead to hiding from you or running toward you in times of trouble. Which will it be?

Ms. Kiessling mentioned Narcan earlier; this is a vital tool in saving lives from opioid overdose deaths. Narcan is a nasal spray version of naloxone, an opioid antagonist; used to temporarily push opioids off opioid receptors in the brain, blocking their effects. Without a prescription, you can get Narcan from a pharmacy or find a local distributor on NaloxoneAZ.com, free-of-charge! Having Narcan on hand is vital in today’s world, and you can find out how to use it among many other free resources at wayoutwestcoalition.org/resources.

We exist to serve you, our community. Please spread this information to everyone; we want to see more lives saved from fentanyl poisoning and accidental overdose.

The WOW Coalition is a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by marijuana, nicotine, and opioid use by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information, visit wowcoalition.org, call us at (623) 208-3230 or email: info@wowcoalition.org.

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It’s that time again, time to hear the morning rush. “Time to get up! Where is my backpack? Did you brush your teeth? Did you pack your lunch? Let’s go, we are going to be late!” Yup, it is time to prepare for Back-to-School. This school year will be the first day back in school since the COVID-19 pandemic. This year everyone is back in the classroom, and this will take some getting used to after doing virtual learning for so long. The virtual learning may have created some not-so-good habits, may have broken various routines, and even may have created some social anxiety in some students. This new school year is an opportunity to start a new chapter to reach for new goals, restart your routines, and build new positive habits.

It is so important to keep the lines of communication open between you and your children. It may best to also observe your child’s behaviors, watching for signs of back-to-school anxiety. Many children feel anxious about going back to school and not know how to tell you that do. This article will provide you with signs of anxiety, coping skills, tips and ideas to help your students transition smoothly into the new school year.

There are many different forms of anxiety, for example:

Separation anxiety: A child is worried about being separated from parents/caregiver
Social anxiety: The child is excessively self-conscious, making difficult to socialize and function in group settings.
Selective mutism: The child has a tough time speaking in some settings, like to a teacher, classmates, or even parents when they are anxious.
Attendance problems: A child refusing to go to school, saying they are sick when they may not be sick

Make sure they know they can talk open and freely with you about their feelings regarding going back to school or anything else they could be worrying about. Try to make sure you do something fun to diffuse the stress and to help them to confide in you. Talk to your child about different skills they can use to cope with their anxiety such as:

1. 4 count breathing technique to help them relax – inhale through nose slowly for four (4) counts, hold their breath for four (4) counts, exhale through mouth slowly for four (4) counts
2. Journaling – write down their feelings, experiences, and dreams in a notebook
3. Take a break – Sometimes it is best just to walk away from something that could be stressing them out. In some situations, they may not be able to do this per say, like get up during class and just take a break. But if they are having trouble with something they can go and take a break from that problem and return later. Read a book – Whether it is before bed or during their free time, sometimes reading a book to help take their mind off their day can help them to relax.

The next tips will help establish new routines and habits to have a successful school year. Now the sooner you initiate these tips the better prepared you and your children will be for the new school year.

Quick Tips for the family:

1. Designate a specific place where everything goes. We will call it a “school staging area.”
   1. Teach your child to always put their bookbag, books, notepad, lunchbox, and face masks in the same place.
   2. Teach your child to always put their homework in the same place.
2. Create a designated quiet space for study/homework area.
   1. Pay special attention to lighting, noise, and distractions.
   2. The more personalized the space is, the more ownership your child will have.
   3. Set expectations on when homework should be done, make sure they understand how important their work is.
3. Develop a routine of planning tomorrow the night before.
   1. As a family plan what you are going to wear the night before. Set it out if possible.
   2. Know what you have planned to do for tomorrow. What special classes or events do you have? What assignments are due?
   3. Start your routine early for getting ready for bed.  So, get washed up, teeth brushed, hair brushed, and into your pajamas ready for bedtime on time. A good sleep pattern is essential for a everyone’s mind and body.
   4. As a family review tomorrow in your minds just before bedtime. Tell them to see themselves being successful in everything they do.
4. Develop the habit of using a daily planner.
   1. Most schools have Agendas for each student. Learn to use this great tool or use a phone app for homework and assignments. Try apps like The Homework App, Egenda, and My Study Life.
   2. Parents should check their child’s planner and assignments daily or weekly at the minimum.
   3. Learning to use these tools effectively may payoff big when report cards come out.
5. Communicate about schedules
   1. With work, school, events, and other extracurricular activities busy families can struggle keeping everyone’s schedule straight. It helps to create a shared calendar where everyone can see what is planned.

The key to making this all work is being consistent. Consistency helps maintain expectations and routines to create solid foundations. Having consistency and structure helps provide children with a sense of stability and safety. With some dedicated effort and persistence your child could be on their way to having their best school year ever!  All of us at the WOW Coalition wish you all a great school year!!

Author Alva Tovar is the Program Coordinator for the WOW Coalition. This prevention association promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to alcohol, marijuana, and Rx abuse problems by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information, visit wowcoalition.org/resources or email: alva.tovar@wowcoalition.org

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Through the years, I have learned a very productive habit when helping people solve problems on their own. The habit is – Ask a great question and then shut up! People are more likely to do something when it is their idea. Asking a great question, followed by silence, allows the receiver time to think of the answer and make it their idea. All you did was ask a question that pointed their mind in a specific direction, allowing them time think of the solution all because you were silent. 

A great question followed by silence is a handy parenting tool. You allow your child or grandchild to think critically and make their own POSITIVE decisions. When your idea becomes their idea, you have buy-in, and you create buy-in by asking great questions and silence. Using this technique with our children will take some practice.

In our primary prevention efforts as parents and grandparents, it is essential to develop great questions to GET IN THE WAY of youth substance use or help youth think through what they will do if they are in an environment where their peers are using alcohol or drugs. 

I suggest doing this in a place with no distractions, so the focus is solely on the topic at hand. This will allow you to control the situation and, many times, deepens the conversation. Circumstances may not always allow this to happen, so be on the lookout for windows of opportunity. A window may be something like when my son and I are just finishing our exercise routine, during a walk, while unloading groceries, or finishing some yard work. I may begin with “I’ve been thinking,” or “this (insert here what triggered the reminder) reminds me of something I was thinking about.” 

It is also essential to ask an open-ended question(s). (A question that cannot be answered with yes or no.) Once you ask them the question, DO NOT say a word. This may get too awkward/uncomfortable for both of you, especially if the silence is going for five minutes, but continue to be there in silence. Eventually, your child will answer the question you asked, even though it may only be a few words. Once they answer the question, continue the silence, and then process information and elaborate a little more on the decision. After this, you can continue to discuss with them and guide them to become the person you know they can become.

I would suggest having at least two questions prepared when you talk to your child about substance use. Having questions prepared ahead of time will allow you to be ready for the silence and take the emotions out of asking a less effective question. Every situation is different, but you can use great questions to help your child come to their own POSITIVE decision on using substances. Here are a few examples: 

• I heard many teens are dabbing. What is dabbing? 
• What is your plan when you are in a situation when others are using drugs or alcohol around you?
• How does using marijuana affect your grades in school?
• How does smoking or vaping hinder your performance in sports?

Author Joe Tracey, is Youth4Youth Program Director and member of the WOW Coalition; a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use.  For additional information visit http://www.wowcoalition.org or contact him at info@wow.coalition.org

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It is never too early to talk with your children about the risks of substance abuse. Research suggests that one of the most influential factors for children is a strong, open relationship with a parent. Though it may not seem like it, children really hear your concerns, and it is important that you discuss the risks of substance abuse with them.  Young people are more likely to listen when they know you are on their side. Reinforce why you do not want your child to drink or use other drugs—because you want your child to be happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot better if you are open and you show concern.

Try to hit all 5 of these talking points when you speak with your children:

1. Let them know you are NOT ok with underage drinking or using drugs
2. Tell them you care about their health, well-being, and success in life
3. Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs
4. Show you are paying attention so you can discourage risky behavior
5. Build your child’s strategies and skills to avoid alcohol and drug use

An important part of the strategies and skills is to develop an exit plan with your family. An Exit Plan will help your child know what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs with their peers, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they’ll say “no thanks.”

What is also important to realize is the talk does not have to be this long drawn out conversations.  It can be a series of short talks and they can be impromptu, such as in the car or during dinner. Because lots of little talks can be a lot more effective than a big long talk.

It’s important to continue the no use message throughout adolescence, especially as they enter junior high and high school, where the pressure to try alcohol or drugs increases. Having those short conversations will help build an open trusting relationship with your child. With that openness they will feel more comfortable coming to you when to discuss serious situations with alcohol or other drugs.

Remember when you talk often with your child about alcohol or drug use, it is important to set a good example. If you choose to drink, you can positively influence your child by drinking in moderation and NEVER driving when you have been drinking. Be aware of where you keep your alcohol, prescription drugs or other substances and always remind your child that those substances in your house are off-limits.   Even though the talk can be awkward, remember, this is your child’s future at stake, do not wait Get in the Way.

Author Alva Tovar is the Program Coordinator for the WOW Coalition. This prevention association promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to alcohol, marijuana, and Rx abuse problems by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information, visit http://www.wowcoalition.org/resources or email: alva.tovar@wowcoalition.org.

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Get in the Way Tip #5 builds success skills and habits. It will help your teen become goal-oriented, and give them purpose and passion. If the teen brain focuses on risk and excitement—let’s tap into that excitement. Imagine your teen having goals and putting all the youthful enthusiasm and energy into moving in the direction of their goals. Would that motivate them? Would that get them to be more future-oriented? Would it have the potential to make your job as a parent or other caring adult more exciting, less stressful and rewarding?

Tip #5 helps take the focus off boredom and poor choices, and puts the energy and focus on purpose. It will help your teen become goal-oriented, giving them purpose and passion. The best thing is, you do not have to wait until your child is a teenager. I encourage you to start early. My youngest began setting goals in kindergarten. His first goals were simple: camp out with his dad, build a fort, go to Cedar Point (a great amusement park), learn to jump his bicycle and read a book by himself. His earliest memories of goal setting were setting and accomplishing his goals; imagine the confidence this will build in your son or daughter. More than two decades later, goal setting is a usual way of life for my boys.

This is a great parent/child exercise! Best of all, you can work on this together! A word of caution: when I recommend you work on this together, I do not mean you help them determine what you think their goals should be; these have to be their goals. So, for clarity, you write your goals, they write their goals, and you share your goals; that is what “together” means. This exercise may even motivate you to sit down and set family goals.

One other point of clarity; my middle son wrote a goal to get 100% on every spelling test that school year; this was a red flag for me and unachievable. After talking about it, he wrote his goal to get 100% on 75% of his spelling tests for that school year. He reached that goal in April of that year.

We are doing something different in this article. The answers you seek are not written here. Access The IT Formula here, which includes the video and goal packet to guide you and your kids. The best part—it’s free! We believe in developing success habits and behaviors in youth as an important way to reduce underage drinking, vaping and nicotine use, teen drug use, and Rx abuse. You must admit, getting your son or daughter through adolescence drug and alcohol-free can be challenging, and we are here to help you Get in the Way.

The WOW Coalition is a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information visit wowcoalition.org or contact at (623) 208-3230 or email: larry.tracey@wowcoalition.org.

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Parents are the #1 influence on their kids growing up. BUT, as they get older, peers take on that influence. Teen’s priorities switch from making their parents proud, to making their peers proud; a people-pleasing mentality that is detrimental when the influencer is not a positive one.

So, What Can You Do?

Get to know who your teen hangs with and their parents, without being overly intrusive as to shut off communication entirely. Observation and a few open-ended questions. For example: How did they get to know their friend(s)? What are their friends’ hobbies/interests? What are their goals in life, or what do they hope to pursue as a career? Get to know their parents through any open doors, your questions and teen’s answers. You can gain a lot of insight through observation. These conversations open the door and allow trust to form between you and your teen, a vital component in influencing their decisions when you are not around.

(Side note on open-ended questions: Open-ended questions often get a person to think about things long after the initial conversation. One key to success is to ask a great question and then shut up. I know that is blunt, but I want you to get the point. Silence is good. It allows the person to process the question and think about the answer. In certain situations, it may help someone to understand their motives or reasons for specific relationships. It is basically, the why. Let me ask this; Which would be more productive; you telling your son or daughter what they should do or asking a great question causing them to think about things and realizing things on their own? All you did was ask a great question and point their mind in a specific direction making your idea (the question) their idea. Another critical point is to keep in mind, self-reflection and awareness usually happens after the fact may be hours or days after the question. All you did was create the opportunity for your teen to make your idea become their idea.)

When in need of addressing their friends’ behavior, make clear statements, and express your desire to see them succeed and do well in life. Your teen can and will most likely be on the defense for their friends, so this is important that you share your good intentions and let them know you care.

Establish “What if?” Scenarios

What if your teen is in a bad situation, like being at a party where they realize drugs are present and they want out, but they are afraid of what their peers will say or do. Establish a keyword or phrase that they can communicate to you over the phone, so you know to come and get them out of the situation. Talk about how to say “no” when others ask them to do, or pressure them into doing drugs, and reinforce a greater importance on respecting themselves when others attempt to drag them down with them. Make sure they know self-esteem and worth comes from within, not in others acceptance of them. That is why it is called self-esteem rather than other-esteem. Always verbalize you are there for them and love them.

Help your teen to think for themselves and be future-oriented in everything they do. Ask them where they see themselves going, who do they want to be in the future, and discuss how they are going to get there. (see Get in the Way | Tip #5 ⁠— Create Purpose: The IT Formula)

Preventing your teen from using starts at home, and if you are not exemplifying the same behavior that you expect from them, you are fighting a losing battle. Reinforce expectations of your teen throughout their childhood for the best outcome, as we say “early and often.” But if you have failed to do so, transparency goes a long way with your children. You can uphold your integrity through humility, so if an apology is needed, so be it – you will gain more ground in influencing your child’s behavior when they respect you.

Handling Online Associations and Friends

Encourage and advise your teen to follow positive influencers and express the reality that bad company corrupts good morals—both online and in person. This conversation is vital, as kids/teens are heavily influenced by social media and this can affect their self-esteem. Follow your teen’s account(s).

Be aware that some teens create separate accounts that they keep from their parents.

Conversations & Behaviors

• Get to know their friends and parents
• Practice “what if” situations and how to say “no”
• Be awake when they come home
• Model the behaviors
• “What would your future-self tell your present-self about your choices and behaviors?”
• “Where do you want to be after high school?”

Warning Signs

• Smelling alcohol on breath
• Problems concentrating or remembering
• Coordination problems
• Slurred speech
• Finding alcohol among their belongings
• Hangovers, nausea and vomiting
• Behavioral issues
• Change in social group
• Home or car related issues
• Low energy level
• Less interest in activities and/or care in appearance
• School or work issues

Negative Consequences

• Vandalism
• Inhibition and memory problems
• Abuse of other drugs
• Changes in brain development
• Alcohol Use Disorder
• Teens who start drinking by age 13 have a 43% chance of becoming alcoholic.

The WOW Coalition is a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information visit wowcoalition.org or contact at (623) 208-3230 or email: larry.tracey@wowcoalition.org.

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When I decided to change, I put all my focus on my “habits,” which is the second Roadblock to Change. If we are going to change – this is the place where all change happens. You must change your habits. NASA discovered it takes between 27 – 29 days for the brain to rewire itself with a new habit or behavior. That’s where the idea that it takes thirty consecutive days to integrate a new habit comes from. The keyword here is — consecutive. NASA also discovered that if you miss a day (let’s say — day twenty-five), the system in the brain collapses, and you’ve got to start over. So how does one go about doing this successfully?

Make a 30-Day Checklist! 

As an example, let’s say you want to change the habit of procrastinating or putting things off until the last minute. The first step is to focus on what you want. The opposite of putting things off is to take action or “do it now.” On my checklist would be a line or box that says, “Do It Now.” At the end of each day I check the box or put a number in the box to show me how many consecutive days I have completed. If I realize I did not follow through on my commitment, I now have the opportunity to do it now. We call this setting yourself up to win. You arrived at the end of your day and realized you still have a chance to do it now! I bet you will.

I need to close a loop here because some of you are thinking he said there were four roadblocks. Roadblock number three is the four-letter “F” word, and it is not food…it is fear. Which is the number one reason people don’t change and stay stuck. Rather than deal with the fear or anxiety, many use roadblock number four, which is distraction or medication. We have to ask ourselves, “How do I distract or medicate myself, so I do not have to deal with changing and becoming my best?” Success Tip: Put all your focus on Roadblock #2, for that is where change takes place.The WOW Coalition is a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information visit wowcoalition.org or contact at (623) 208-3230 or email: larry.tracey@wowcoalition.org.

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During the COVID-19 quarantine, mental health has been a hot topic. Tragically, many have committed suicide due to the overwhelming nature of such a pandemic, and the social isolation that has come along with it. The question remains: how do we aid in the prevention of suicide?

Stay Connected with Others

Check up on your friends and family and see how they are doing. Do not be afraid to ask pointed questions, as many will appreciate the sincerity of the inquiry. If you are struggling, let others know—you are not alone. You may see smiles on other’s faces, but often times people can relate to having suicidal thoughts or intense sorrow at some point. During this time, we can all come together in our struggles and encourage each other to keep going.

Be Future-Oriented

Keep your mind on future goals. If someone you know is struggling, give them the task of thinking about and writing down some future goals. Focusing your mind on something that excites you can provoke positive thoughts, and give a better outlook on the future than the present stresses of life.

Show Gratitude

Everyday, ponder upon what you are grateful for. What do you have, what positives have come from such a difficult time in the world, what can you gain from what you have lost? Ask others who may be struggling what they are grateful for—even if it is just having more time to work on themselves or spend time with their family.

Work On Self-care & Tidy-up

Often we feel self-care to be a selfish thing to spend time on, but this is vital for your overall well-being and mental health—encourage others with this reality. Run a bath, get some rest, go for a walk, listen to a podcast, read a book—do something to benefit your mind, body and soul. Take some time to tidy-up your room or house—clutter can cause anxiety, and clearing it up can give mental clarity.

What is the main cause of suicide?

Ranking 2nd under unintentional injury, from 10-34 years of age is death by suicide.

This is staggering, and the sad reality is⁠—these individuals only want their pain to go away, not to die. Many who commit suicide are facing intense mental strain; feeling hopeless, worthless, depressed, anxious, lonely or even post-traumatic stress symptoms from traumatic events that may or may not have been properly addressed.

Whatever the case may be, the key to overcoming these emotions is to set your mind on greater things. It’s okay to acknowledge your pain, but this is not the end—it will get better. Shift your focus from the present negatives to the positives of going through a rough patch in life. How can this situation better your future? Defaulting to this mindset through any hardship is highly beneficial, as you’ll begin to see hardships and difficulties as opportunities. Opportunities for growth; increased gratitude, strength, patience, etcetera.

If you’re contemplating suicide, please visit this site for ways to stay safe and find treatment. For immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline here: 1-800-273-8255 or chat here with someone who can listen and help.

Source(s): leading causes of death by age group 2017 (CDC)The WOW Coalition is a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information visit wowcoalition.org or contact at (623) 208-3230 or email: larry.tracey@wowcoalition.org.

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