🐣 Quick heads up, Activators! With Easter weekend right around the corner 🐰, The Activator will be dropping early on Thursday, April 2. 📬 Think of it as getting your insights, trends, and tools before the baskets and brunch begin. We’ll be back to our regular schedule the next week—but for now, enjoy the early treat! 🌷

🏀 Sweet 16 = Sweet Deal 💰

🏀 March Madness has taken over. Your brackets may be busted, but your next winning move doesn’t have to be.👏

⏰For One Week Only (now through 4/3): mention this ad and score 16% off in-person trainings, and 8% off virtual sessions!

Even better—additional discounts are available for multi-session bookings and returning clients. Don’t sit this one out… this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss! 🤩

Check out my growing list of services & trainings!

Webinars | Events | Conferences | Planning | Retreats

🗞️ Top Stories This Week📌

Jury in Los Angeles finds Meta, YouTube negligent in social media addiction trial CNBC

Is social media addictive? The science reveals what's at stake Scientific American

A legal decision that could change social media The Atlantic

...Jurors found Meta and Google liable for building apps that inflicted mental-health problems on a teenager, and similar lawsuits are on the horizon...

🔎Learn more about social media's impact on kiddos from this recent University of Georgia research article - Frequent social media use could impact child development 📲

Feeling unfulfilled could lead to riskier, heavier alcohol use

University of Georgia

'Grandparents' happy hour' bill would let senior homes serve alcohol without a license Fox News

5 surprising stats on alcohol use disorder Newsweek

Survey finds Gez Z is the most alcohol-averse generation NewsNation

📸: Pexels - Kampus Production

Squirrels are 'vaping' e-cigarettes after mistaking fruity aromas for food New York Post

How smoking vs vaping affects the eyes University of Colorado Anschutz

Teen shares a vape with her friends during a night out, ends up in a coma with meningitis: 'Life or death situation' People

Video: Vaping rises as smoking declines, new CDC data shows ABC News

📚Read the full report at CDC.gov.

Fentanyl, cocaine remain top killers in Orleans accidental drug deaths, coroner reports Fox8 (LA)

Sharks in the Bahamas test positive for caffeine, painkillers and even cocaine, study finds CBS News

📸: DEA

👉Check out the National Drug Early Warning System's March 6 briefing for a deeper look at the (re)emerging cocaine trend! 📊

Random meth-laced hot dogs poison family pets at Broomfield home 9News (CO)

...Veterinary testing confirmed “he had meth and MDMA in his system.”...

Psychedelic retreats explode into hot travel trends as experts say demand is growing Fox News

...psilocybin and ayahuasca retreats are legal in a number of destinations as report flags risks and warnings...

'Gas station heroin,' other substances must be removed from Connecticut businesses by Wednesday CT Insider

The following substances are illegal to possess, manufacture, sell or distribute:

Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), including its leaves, stem and any extracts.
7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH, a kratom derivative).
Bromazolam.
Flubromazolam.
Nitazenes, including, but not limited to, isotonitazene.
Tianeptine.
Phenibut.

The substances come in a variety of consumable products, including beverages, tinctures, pills, gummies and more.

🔎What's New📦

'New' Trends, Products, & Resources

Warning: This article contains details of sexual assault.

Over the years, we’ve seen countless reports highlighting the risks of online exploitation and predatory behavior - including horrific 'Zzz' groups.

This week, a deeply concerning trend came to light following a monthslong CNN investigation—revealing instances of harm and exploitation involving women by individuals they trusted most, including intimate partners.

Drugged, raped and online CNN

💜You can help! Support and share these important resources for survivors and advocates!💜

RAINN Hotline | National Sexual Assault Resource Center

📸: CNN

Looking for FREE Trainings & More?!

Operation Parent empowers parents and caregivers to have casual, courageous conversations with their kids about today’s toughest topics. Trusted resources like The Parent Handbook and free webinars help families navigate issues like mental health, technology, and risky behaviors with confidence.

Visit www.operationparent.org to learn more!

They have several webinars in the pipeline and you can find the information for all of them here: https://www.operationparent.org/webinars#register

Find additional graphics and information: https://www.operationparent.org/get-the-word-out

📝 Apply Now: DFC Grant💰

The DFC grant helps communities prevent youth substance use through collaboration, data-driven strategies, and sustainable solutions that strengthen protective factors and reduce risk. All applications are due April 14.

New Year 1 Continuation Year 6