Parent Alerts

Why Harm Reduction Matters An estimated 107,543 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2023 according to data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). This is a decrease from the 111,029 overdose deaths in 2022, but any life lost is a tragedy. Public health officials, government leaders, and communities are struggling with…

Social Media’s Role in Youth Substance Use It is no secret that youth love using social media. According to Clearfork Academy, 95% of youth are active on social media, with the top platforms being Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter (X). These platforms provide youth with entertainment and a chance to stay connected with friends. Unfortunately,…

Using Vape Detectors for Prevention 2.13 million youth reported using e-cigarette products in the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Educating students on the risks of vaping is helping to reduce the number of youth who vape, but school officials are struggling with how to stop vaping on campus. One thing they are trying is vape…

#NationalPreventionWeek24 is a health education platform that promotes new ideas and initiatives to help keep communities healthy & safe. Join us as we celebrate the #substanceuse prevention and #mentalhealth efforts happening nationwide! Learn more: samhsa.gov/prevention-week National Prevention Week is almost here! This annual event is a great opportunity to learn more about prevention science, and how…

Wayne County Coalitions would like to remind you that it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors, and hopes their message resonates with the minority of parents who furnish alcohol for underage drinkers. The majority of parents do not provide alcohol to minors, and the majority of teens do not drink underage. This campaign is…

Helping Students Prepare for the End of the School Year The end of the school year can be a source of stress for many students. End of year exams, moving up a grade, getting ready to go to a new building, and worrying about friendships are common stressors. Preparing your child for the end of…

How Alcohol and Marijuana are Marketed to Youth Youth are exposed to alcohol and marijuana advertisements on a regular basis. One RAND study looked at the impact of alcohol advertising on youth ages 11-14 and found that they see an average of three alcohol ads per day. This study also found that this exposure leads to youth…

Why Marijuana is Harmful Ohio became the 24th state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana when voters passed Issue 2 in November 2023. Some people will be trying marijuana for the first time as a result of this new law, and they may not be aware of the risks that marijuana poses to their…

The Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act is scheduled to take effect in Ohio on January 15th. This law has been championed by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted since early 2023, and has been fully backed by Governor DeWine and other lawmakers. Here are the key takeaways from this new law: Ohio will be joining…

Coping with Holiday Stress The holiday season is a great opportunity to take a break and spend time with family and friends, but it can be a very stressful time of year for many people. This stress is a result of many things including lack of time, financial pressure, family gatherings, social isolation, and Seasonal…

Youth Internet Safety The internet continues to be utilized more and more in our lives, and our reliance upon it has a major impact on youth. Internet usage is not a bad thing, and there are many positive aspects to it for youth including homework assistance, social connection with friends, and providing entertainment. However, there are…

What is Prevention? October is Substance Misuse and Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. This signifies the importance of communities coming together to work on prevention, but what is prevention? The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) defines prevention as “promoting the health and safety of individuals and communities by focusing on preventing…