Engage teens in ongoing, organic conversations about risky behaviors (drugs, sex, driving) from a young age, avoiding formal lectures or ‘just say no’ approaches. Present balanced information about both perceived benefits and risks, adopting a comprehensive strategy that includes prevention, reduction, and harm reduction, meeting teens where they are without judgment, and leveraging their intelligence and desire for truth.
Parents should remain actively involved and monitor their adolescents’ lives, knowing their friends and whereabouts, especially during discretionary hours (e.g., 3-6 PM), as this adult presence is crucial for safety and well-being.
When helping teens quit nicotine or cannabis, approach them with empathy and support, not anger, recognizing they were targeted by industry. Support them with a combination of nicotine replacement therapy (if applicable and medically advised), a changed social environment (avoiding using friends), healthy habits (snacks, water, exercise), and potentially cognitive behavioral therapy, understanding it’s a multi-faceted process.
When discussing vaping with teens, highlight how the industry specifically targets them with appealing products and deceptive marketing to foster addiction, leveraging their desire not to be manipulated or ‘duped.’ Frame brain development positively, explaining that its rapid changes make them more susceptible to addiction, which the industry exploits.
Help teens understand the long-term implications of their choices by connecting current behaviors and risks to their personal goals and aspirations, demonstrating how healthy choices align with achieving their desired future.
If parents are divorced or separated, prioritize resolving conflict to support adolescent well-being, as ongoing conflict, not the divorce itself, is linked to social/emotional issues, anxiety, depression, and self-medication.
To discourage vaping in teens, emphasize immediate impacts like reduced athletic performance and difficulty running, as these short-term consequences are more compelling than distant health risks like lung cancer.
Engage teens in discussions about vaping by focusing on its negative environmental impact, such as plastic waste from pods and the persistence of toxic aerosols (secondhand and thirdhand vapor), which resonates with their concern for the planet.
Encourage adolescents and young adults attending parties with alcohol to utilize designated drivers, ride-sharing services, or a ‘sober sitter’ to ensure safety, not only for driving but also to prevent other alcohol-related harms like unwanted sexual encounters or accidents.
Be aware that high THC cannabis use in youth, especially males, can trigger or cause psychotic symptoms like schizophrenia in those predisposed to mental health issues, with some cases potentially being irreversible.
The public, including parents, educators, and law enforcement, should actively enforce the legal age of 21 for purchasing or selling nicotine products in the U.S., as current regulations are often overlooked, making these products easily accessible to teens.
Consider carrying Narcan (naloxone) and advocate for its availability in schools, libraries, and public spaces, as it can reverse opioid overdoses and cannot harm someone if administered when not experiencing an overdose.
While not perfect, consider the potential benefit of making fentanyl test strips available, alongside Narcan and condoms, in environments where teens might encounter illicit drugs, acknowledging their limitations but prioritizing safety for those who choose to use.
Embrace and capitalize on the inherent strengths of teenagers, such as their creativity, passion, and concern for social justice, the environment, and the future, by involving them in problem-solving and decision-making processes.
Encourage adolescents to engage in face-to-face interactions by deliberately setting phones aside during gatherings, and ensure they are still participating in physical, creative activities, as this balances digital communication with essential social and physical development.
Drink Element dissolved in 16-32 ounces of water first thing in the morning and during physical exercise to ensure proper hydration and adequate electrolytes for optimal brain and body function.
Utilize meditation apps like Waking Up, including Yoga Nidra or NSDR protocols, for various durations to restore cognitive and physical energy and place the brain and body into different states.