A teenager may encounter a situation in which they may need an opioid prescription pain killer; whether it is from a sports injury, getting wisdom teeth pulled or an accident.  It is important to talk with your teen and their doctor about the benefits and risks of using an opioid medication.  Here are some tips to keep in mind if your teen might need a prescription opioid.

• Talk with your teen before his/her appointment
• Talk with the doctor about pain management options
• Monitor usage closely
• Keep medications with you (yes, you, the adult)
• Dispose of extra medications

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Young adults heading to college have taken a great number of steps towards independence, however  they are still in need of guidance and support. The transition can be a stressful one and many students believe that alcohol use is socially acceptable and even expected in their new environment. Adults may feel like they have less influence on their children's decisions during this time-frame, however r esearch  suggests that teens who talked with their parents about alcohol avoidance strategies  before  they began their first year of college were less likely to use alcohol and more likely to limit its use. Similarly, teens who already were heavy drinkers were more likely to reduce alcohol use.  Check out this  guide  for more about this important life transition.

"When I was a kid..." doesn't really work when talking with your kids about cannabis today. Cannabis - legal or otherwise - is a hot topic. It's more important than ever for parents to protect their kids' health and development by addressing this issue early and often. The potency of today's cannabis is not what is was in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Check out  this video  from Stanford Medicine on potency. The new cannabis landscape doesn't change the fact that all mind-altering substances - including cannabis - are harmful for the still developing teen brain. Again, believe it or not, you are the most powerful influence in your child's life. More than friends, TV, and celebrities.

• A family history of substance abuse
• A mental or behavioral health condition, such as depression, anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Impulsive or risk-taking behavior
• A history of traumatic events, such as experiencing a car accident or being a victim of abuse
• Low self-esteem or feelings of social rejection

On December 20, 2019, the President signed legislation amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and raising the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21. This legislation ("Tobacco 21" or "T21") is effective immediately, and it is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product-including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes-to anyone under 21. The new federal minimum age of sale applies to all retail establishments and persons with no exceptions. 

Preventing tobacco product use among youth is critical to ending the tobacco epidemic in the United States. Tobacco product use is started and established primarily during adolescence. Recent increases in the use of e-cigarettes is driving increases in tobacco product use among youth.  The number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes rose from 3.6 million in 2018 to 5.4 million in 2019.

Factors associated with youth tobacco product use include the following:

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• Take your loved one seriously
• Listen with empathy and provide support
• Learn the warning signs
• Don't keep suicide a secret