Considering the stakes, my mom really had no other choice but to educate me about drugs from an early age. But something that I’ve wondered is why other parents don’t talk to their kids about heavy topics such as this. I think this is because a lot of parents are just afraid to bring it up.

ZYN, named to sound like Zen, is being pushed as a harm-reduction alternative to cigarettes. Yet, in reality, they are another product being marketed to adolescents with deceptive tactics to get them hooked on Big Tobacco products.

This normalization of experimenting with different substances is beginning to creep into the lives of young students, and a dependence on drugs is spreading like wildfire.

MHYP member Jennifer Taylor writes about raising healthy teens.

I’m here with a plea to consider an effort to “just be average.” At least in one area.

It was a good day this month when news dropped that the e-cigarette maker, Juul Labs, will pay $462 million to six US states and Washington DC.

Now is an ideal time to model responsible drinking and talk about the risks of driving after consuming alcohol or drugs. Each of us can do our part to avoid preventable traffic accidents and keep our roads safe. 

The reality of this time of year, with all the parties and get-togethers and family gatherings, is that often many of those festivities involve alcohol and other substances. So to help, MHYP has put together a list of 10 things you can do this holiday season to keep your tween and teens safe and enjoying the fun substance-free.

When more than 100 youths, many believed to have been fueled by alcohol, took to the streets of Mill Valley after a party was ended by police earlier this month, they did not hesitate to disturb local businesses, throw cans and bottles at officers and jump on a police car. The riotous behavior of these teens was out of the norm for Marin County – but the drinking was not.

“When I wrote my first article on fentanyl, I was floored by the devastation and loss that it is inflicting on communities. Since that time, I have done my best to help spread awareness surrounding the dangers of fentanyl. I’m happy to play a part in our community’s response to this crisis.”

As the leaves start to turn, the days shorten and the morning air gets crisp, Halloween lights emerge in our little neighborhood. This indicates the beginning of the winter holiday season. The holiday season starts on October 31st with Halloween, which has become a notorious holiday for youth trick-or-treating and adult drinking.

Simple searches with hashtags like #weed4sale, #oxy or #painpills will pull up story after story (that is IG or Snapchat stories) with pictures of drugs and cash and emojis such the Christmas tree, fire, and $$ that means it’s for sale. Requests are left in the comments or you can direct message the dealer.