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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As the new year unfolds, we find ourselves immersed in the timeless tradition of seeking a fresh start—a cultural practice that has spanned over 200 years in our Western society. Many Americans embrace the spirit of self-improvement, often manifested in the form of New Year’s Resolutions. As the calendar pages turn, we must introspectively inquire: Is this a refined and enhanced version of ourselves, or are we simply adhering to the status quo of yesteryear? Do our aspirations mirror those familiar hopes from the past – the desire to shed weight, contribute more to our communities, adopt healthier eating habits, quit smoking, consume less alcohol, escape the clutches of debt, and amass savings?

If your answer aligns with maintaining multiple unfulfilled resolutions, welcome to the Procrastinators Club, the world’s largest organization, boasting a membership of 98% of the population. The comfort lies in the fact that you’re not alone. 

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the frequency of fresh starts. Beyond the grandeur of a new year, opportunities abound every month, every week, and even every day. The dawn of each morning and the commencement of each hour provide us with a chance for renewal. The abundance of opportunities invites us to break free from the Procrastinators Club’s grip. 

So, let’s entertain a revolutionary concept to kickstart the new year – craft a “Do Not Do List.” Constrain this list to 10 items, contemplating habits and behaviors that hinder personal growth. Are you spending excessive hours in front of the television? Indulging in post-dinner snacking on sweets? Overcommitting by perpetually saying yes to others? Hitting the snooze button habitually? Drowning in social media or texting? Succumbing to impulsive purchases? Oversleeping or battling sleep deprivation? Chronically tardy? Lacking a consistent exercise routine? 

Recognize that these habits bear consequences, hindering the pursuit of life’s dreams and goals. It’s time to break free from the allure of the Procrastinators Club. Begin with the first resolution on your “Do Not Do List”: DO NOT renew my membership in the Procrastinators Club. Elevate yourself beyond procrastination, embrace positive change, and let this be the year you stride confidently toward success. 

Author Larry Tracey is the Executive Director of Youth4Youth, author, speaker, 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.

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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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We all have what we call the inner game, or Thought Habits, habitual ways of thinking. They allow us to either talk ourselves into or out of opportunities daily. Thought Habits also impact whether one’s thinking is positive or negative. Quotes are one of many ways people keep their thoughts positive. We are aspirational by nature, and quotes can help us see something in ourselves we want to change or serve as a reminder about who we want to become. For example, a quote by W. Clement Stone became an important belief and driving force in my life:

“To every disadvantage, there is a corresponding advantage. Find it!”

Maybe I saw the “find it” as more of a challenge. Mr. Stone’s quote has become an important part of my life. Imagine developing the thought habit of finding solutions. Self-confidence increases, stress is dramatically reduced, and deep inside, you know things will work out. Why? Because they always do.

When I heard Tony Robbins say, “Success leaves clues.” My realization – there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Learn from the masters, take what you learn, and use it to go further, faster, and easier through life. Once we take responsibility for our lives, we understand we can control our thinking and develop thought habits that assist us in winning the inner game. Henry Ford said it best,

“Think you can or think you can’t; either way, you will be right.”

Make this your mindset for life, and you will possess a belief that will instill confidence. You will also realize you now have the 1^st Key of Success – Right Thinking.

What quote motivates you the most?

The Knowledge of the Mind Becomes Knowledge of the Heart – 2^nd Key of Success

Many let their dreams die unlived. Many let the circumstances in life dictate their lifelong journey and end up as a victim of circumstance, never finding the 1^st Key of Success – Right Thinking.

Realizing you are different, you decide you want to make your life more than a dream. You want to make it your reality. But most importantly, you are becoming passionate about it. It is at this moment you will discover the 2^nd Key of Success, the Key of Passion. The moment when the knowledge of the mind becomes knowledge of the heart. It becomes an inner knowing, an inner belief, a driving force. While the first key deals with dreams, the second key is about turning those dreams into reality. Using the IT Formula is how to make the magic happens! And remember, if you ever lose your passion, go back to the 1^st Key of Success – thinking. You will find something has changed in your thinking.

What are you passionate about? What do you want your life to look like? Invest time in writing a list of your passions.

The 3^rd Key of Success

The 3^rd and final Key of Success is where the magic happens. We have introduced the 1^st Key of Success – Right Thinking and the 2^nd Key of Success – Passion. The first and second keys are combined through the 3^rd Key of Success. However, this is where many people fall short. They become victims of life’s circumstances that distract them and dictate their lifelong journey, and many of their dreams die unlived. But not you, for you have found the 3^rd Key of Success – Body Language. You understand the importance of daily habits and behaviors that serve you as you shed those habits and behaviors that hold you back. You realize:

Success is taking one or more daily action steps toward your goals.

In doing so, you gain momentum and confidence and develop the habit of success.

Here are vital habits and behaviors that will benefit you on your journey:

1. Always put your goals in writing.
2. As you begin your day, read one page from a book that points your mind in a positive direction.
3. Plan your tomorrow the night before.
4. As your day ends, write down your successes for the day and three things you are grateful for this day.

These are just a few ideas to get you moving, as Body Language is the 3rd Key of Success and is all about taking action. Making the 3 Keys of Success part of your lifestyle will make your success inevitable.

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 WOWCoalition.org.

This publication was made possible by grant number H79TI083320 from SAMHSA. The views, opinions and content of this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of SAMHSA or HHS.

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Then I started to look back on the lesson to reflect on what I learned through the process and realized that there are a few things I learned that had nothing to do with the actual task of standing in front of people talking effectively. The first is, that having a mentor in my life is a gift. Think about it for a moment, someone is willing to take time out of their day to help guide me through life’s situation. Why would someone do that? The answer is quite simple, giving back makes them feel good, the same way that donating / volunteering makes people feel good during the holidays. You do not have to run to your local food bank and donate your time to helping others, you can achieve and surpass this same level of satisfaction by choosing to be a mentor to youth within the community. Did you have someone in your life growing up that was there to help you through life? This could have been a parent, extended family member, teacher, or some other adult of positive influence. If not, do you wish you did?

Knowing that not everyone has had the experience of a mentor in their life triggered the thought process of what a mentor is, and what are some qualities that a mentor should have. To start, you must understand the different roles that are part of this relationship.

There are three different roles to understand: Mentor, Protégé, and Coach. A mentor is an experienced individual who provides guidance and support to empower protégés to reach their goals. A protégé is someone who seeks guidance and support from a mentor to reach his or her goals. There is always something to learn from a supportive person with different or greater experience who is willing to listen without judgment, provide guidance, and answer questions. Mentors and coaches are often thought of as having similar roles. The two positions can overlap but are actually very different. Coaching can be part of mentorship, but mentors are not coaches. A mentor’s role is to support a protégé as they take personal responsibility for working toward the accomplishment of broader goals over a sustained period of time. Coaches are responsible for protégés meeting a specific short-term goal. The type of goal that a coach can most effectively facilitate is skills-based and specific. A mentor has more of a long-term guidance approach.

While both the mentor and coach should be experienced in the areas that the protégé is looking for support on, the coach is focused on giving you the skills that solve the problem in front of you. The mentor is there to guide you while you do the work and help you when you fall. A mentor needs to have a number of traits that most people would agree with; knowledgeable, positive, caring, and committed. There is one trait when I think of mentorship that not many people think of. The ability to fail! Many people see successful people and think that they are just lucky, or they just make it look so easy. What they do not see is the countless attempts they made before that and failed. Then, they tried again and failed again. If they would have quit after they failed, they would not have succeeded and be the person you admire today. The ability to be able to help someone get through failure is what will define you as a mentor.

With the holidays approaching, take the time to make a positive impact on the lives of youth, at the end of the day it will make you feel good. That impact might be the reason they keep trying even when no one else thinks they can. It might be the reason they get up and keep pushing, instead of turning to substance use and start a path of self-destruction.

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Being grateful, hopeful, and optimistic can change how you see and cope with everything.

You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once, but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.

— Michelle Obama

Gratefulness is feeling appreciation for what we have—when we are not taking our blessings for granted. To experience the benefits of gratitude, we must practice gratefulness in our everyday lives because it does not come naturally for everyone. When you feel grateful, you can show it without words or actions. And it goes beyond feeling thankful, even if being thankful is the first step that grows with time into a lasting feeling of gratefulness. Often, being grateful for what we have is the fuel that pushes people to go the “extra mile” even when no one is asking this of us. It is something you simply do willingly.

Hope is more than a feeling or a dream, it’s not a prayer. Hope is when you are willing to put your all into your desire and your heart into an outcome that will better your life. Hope doesn’t directly reflect what we think the outcome will be, but reflects what we want the outcome to be, when you put your heart into what you do, you will see all the negativity and hopelessness will disappear.

Optimism is your mindset seeing everything in a positive way with a higher expectation that things will go well most of the time. Optimism partnered with hope can be immensely powerful by projecting a positive motivational impact on your mindset, long-term.

Try changing your mindset to have more hope, gratefulness, and optimism in your life. But don’t do it just for you, do it for your family. Work towards not being isolated, closed off and negative, because that can be so toxic for you and the people around you. Focus on being a positive example for your family. If they were to see you behaving in a negative or closed-off way, they would think that is how they are supposed to behave when they should not. It is so important to set a good example of an optimistic and hopeful mindset for them. Just think if your children chose to be isolated, closed off and negative; they could miss all the beautiful, good things happening around them. Having that kind of mindset could make it where they could miss things in life, by allowing those opportunities to pass them by and that would be a tragedy. Being optimistic will help fuel their passions in their daily activities so they can live a full life. Learn and share the importance of being around more optimistic and hopeful people. It is just human nature to think like the people and sources we spend the most time with. Taking the negative and toxic people out of your life is tremendously important for yourself and your family’s healthy survival. The importance of having a good, strong, optimistic, and hopeful support system around you will feed your gratefulness mindset.

Having hope and optimism puts you in control of your attitude, mindset, and then over all your life, which will fuel how grateful you feel on a regular basis. You can choose to isolate yourself, think negatively about the world and society, but life will pass you by. Life is short, no one is promised tomorrow, so you may want to choose to accept what is in your control and that’s… YOU. Only you can control yourself, your attitude, your views, and your mindset. Believe that you are here for a purpose, focus on your dreams, and hope for a brighter future. Then go out and make it happen. Remember,

When the world says, “give up,” HOPE whispers, “try one more time”.

— Author Unknown

Article provided by Alva Tovar, Coordinator of Community Programs for the WOW Coalition; a prevention association in Buckeye, 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.

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Counterfeit pills are just like counterfeit money. They look like the real thing, and in fact, you cannot tell the difference. Most, if not all, street drugs are now laced with this deadly killer, fentanyl, a synthetic opioid similar to morphine but up to 100 times more potent and highly addictive. Think of a grain of salt. A standard dose of fentanyl would be equivalent to 5 grains of salt. 12 grains can cause an overdose, and in many cases, death. These counterfeits are especially dangerous because the amount of fentanyl varies from pill to pill. They are mixed in five-gallon buckets, pressed into pills, and find their way across the border into our communities. You could take that one pill thinking it is Percocet, Vicodin, Oxycodone, or hydrocodone. But instead, it’s a counterfeit pill with a lethal dose of fentanyl.

“Blues,” the street name for counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl (because of their color), have become common. You may also hear them referred to as “M30s” for the stamp commonly found on each pill.

The efforts of the Way Out West Coalition include sharing stories much like Marissa’s to create awareness and educate parents and youth about underage drinking, substance use, and especially the rise of fentanyl. We share these stories through our various social media platforms. We receive countless comments from people who have lost multiple friends, family members, and children to counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. Marissa would give anything to have the chance to go back in time to have that conversation with Issaiah. She would tell him how much she loves him and that he needs to know how dangerous it can be to take just one pill, because that One Pill Can Kill.

It is never too early to have a conversation with your children about the dangers of underage drinking and substance use. To learn how visit our Resources page or TalkNowAZ.com. You can follow the Way Out West Coalition on various social media platforms, such as Facebook. Article provided by Alva Tovar, Coordinator of Community Programs for the WOW Coalition.

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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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Adverse Childhood Experiences are traumatic events that take place in a child’s life before age 18. Not only does this increase the risk of developing Substance Use Disorder (SUD), but ACEs are linked to chronic health problems such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and mental illness to name a few. Certain social determinants of health and ACEs create toxic stress or trauma in one’s life. ACEs have also been shown to have lasting lifelong negative effects on health, as well as life opportunities such as education and job potential. ACEs are measured by what is called the ACE Score. An ACE score ranges from zero to nine; the higher the score, the greater the risk.

So, what do the effects of ACEs look like in adulthood and what can you do about it? Studies show someone who has zero ACEs has a 1 in 69 chance that they will become an alcoholic, 1 in 480 use IV drugs, and 1 in 96 attempt suicide. Now, if we look at those same situations with someone that has experienced seven ACEs, the results are shocking. 1 in 6 is an alcoholic, 1 in 43 use IV drugs, and 1 in 5 attempt suicide. Those are alarming numbers, and you can see why ACEs are the gateway to addiction and negative lifelong health issues.

The good news is you can prevent ACEs. The even better news is that ACEs do not have to define who a person will become, and we as a community are in control. The first step is becoming aware of the damage that toxic stress and trauma can cause while providing a nurturing environment for our children to thrive in. If ACEs are prevented in the first place, children stand a much better chance to prosper as they mature and grow. Just because you or your child faced multiple ACEs in childhood, does not mean that either of you will be doomed to a life of destruction and sickness. I know individuals that have experienced all 9 ACEs, refused to become a victim, and are in control of becoming a better person each day. By learning effective coping skills and implementing positive habits into their lives, they are living proof that you can heal and love your story!

Author Joe Tracey is Youth4Youth Program Director and member of the WOW Coalition. This prevention association 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 www.wowcoalition.org or contact him at info@wow.coalition.org.

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