42% Safer—Just by Talking

“Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.”i

While alcohol and vaping are major concerns in teen substance abuse, October’s Red Ribbon Week prompts a look at other common drugs teens use.

Marijuana. “In 2022, 30.7% of US high school 12th graders reported using cannabis in the past year, and 6.3% reported using cannabis daily in the past 30 days.”ii What some of us may not know is that today’s cannabis is stronger and purer than in was years ago.

While in the classroom, E3 facilitators discuss the negative effects various substances have on the teen brain. With marijuana, these effects include addiction, memory loss, anxiety, impaired driving, increased risk of mental health issues, paranoia, heart damage, lung problems, and low testosterone.

Prescription drugs are commonly misused. Some teens wrongly believe prescribed medications are safer than illegal drugs. When taken incorrectly, these can cause damage or death. Many drug addictions begin with prescription drug misuse, so please use your prescription drugs as prescribed, do not share them, and dispose of the unused portion properly.

Fentanyl is a synthetic (lab made) opioid. “Fentanyl is widely discussed in the news and media because it’s part of the opioid crisis that involves more than half of all overdose deaths. As a synthetic opioid, it’s 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.” iii A lethal dose of fentanyl is smaller than a grain of rice.

Other types of drugs mixed with illegally-made fentanyl are extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, many are unaware their purchase contains this substance. Teens may believe they are buying one drug (like oxycodone); however, it’s laced with fentanyl.iv

Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids account for roughly 70% of overdose deaths.v The number of daily deaths from an opioid overdose rose to 224 in 2022.vi

Long Term Effects

Teen brains are still developing; therefore, drug use during this crucial period can have serious and long-lasting negative effects cognitively, mentally, and physically. The best way to avoid these consequences is to help teens choose to say no to drug use.

What Parents Can Do

  • Research the prevalence and effects of drugs on teens.
  • Talk about the dangers of drug use.
  • Set and communicate expectations regarding drug use.
  • Help teens develop coping mechanisms for stress.
  • Encourage healthy activities.
  • Build their confidence.vii
  • Teach refusal skills. Often teens don’t know how to say no.

Here are some tips from our SumterCAP friends:

  1. Say NO, firmly and directly. Practicing helps.
  2. Bring A Friend. If you’re worried about attending an event, bring a trusted friend. You can watch each other’s backs.
  3. Laugh It Off. Tell a joke that doubles as an excuse. For example, “Oh, you want me to dance on tables like a fool? No, thank you.”
  4. Have An Escape Plan. Pick a safe word with a parent, trusted adult or friend. If you text the word, they know to pick you up immediately.
  5. Hold A Cup. Fill it with water or soda. If someone offers you alcohol or a different substance, hold up the cup and say you’re already working on this one.

Spreading Awareness

If you suspect a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse problem, visit SumterCAP.org to find options for help or call the SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

“Red Ribbon Week® (October 23-31), the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation, is your opportunity to get the ongoing conversation started. This year’s theme is Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.™ Visit www.redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week® and get tips for talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or a dear friend.”

We Can’t Do It Alone!

We Can’t Do It Alone! You can help Equip Youth to make healthy choices, Empower Parents to build strong families and Encourage our Lake, Sumter, and Hernando Counties to be truly Family Friendly through your generous donation. Join us in shaping the future of our communities to be safer and healthier. Click here to donate.

Barb Winters is a Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialist, author of Sexpectations: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Healthy Relationships, and founder of Hopeful Mom. In March 2025, Barb was named in the list of 20 Inspiring Women Dedicated to Making Life Safer for Kids.

i https://www.redribbon.org/
ii https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mtf2022.pdf
iii https://www.mswdegrees.org/resources/fentanyl-awareness-guide/
iv https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/fentanyl.html
v https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/fentanyl-facts.html
vi https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/understanding-the-opioid-overdose-epidemic.html
vii https://clearforkacademy.com/blog/preventing-drug-abuse-in-teen/#:~:text=Research%20plays%20a%20critical%20role,than%20those%20of%20the%20past

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Help us make sure that our youth are properly equipped to make healthy choices NOW so that they can go on to lead happy, successful lives later. Let’s change the face of the community today!

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