Hello Carol,

Well, we're finally heading into the home stretch of the school year, and we hope that you and your students are ready, and staying calm and focused - summer is right around the corner!

We've had an amazing school year with our YAB and MAB teens! We were thrilled to welcome so many 8th-grade students to our Mid Action Board this year, and we can tell you that they are truly ready for high school - well done middle schools and parents!

Our YAB teens worked hard throughout the year to further reach teens AND to support BBCC's mission to raise awareness and educate our community about substance use and the mental health strain so many of our students are under. Choices 2024 Youth Dialogue Day - the YAB's signature event is just one important way in which they worked to address that - see highlights below.

There is a rising trend in Nicotine products being used by and marketed to teens. See the information below.

The end of the school year also brings graduation season and parties, and while this is and should be the honor and celebration our students have worked hard for and look forward to, it also brings a higher risk of teen alcohol and drug use. This edition will expand on graduation celebrations, peer pressure, and responsible hosting.

The Youth Action Board, for high school students can offer your teen healthy connections, advocacy and leadership skill development, community service credits, fun, and so much more! Your teen can join us at our upcoming meetings, and we will be meeting throughout the summer – contact kmichaud@bbcoalition.org and see the flyer below. 

The end of school is an exciting time and also comes with challenges until you and your student finally reach that last day… What better way to celebrate than with a Teen Summer Concert? Our own YAB teens are thrilled to host and invite you to their annual concert to celebrate the end of school AND kick off the summer! See details below!

We are excited for summer right along with you and will be working throughout the summer (minus a small summer break) to continue to support you so please reach out if you need to.

Carol & Kelly

Carol Mastroianni

executive director

Kelly Michaud

youth program coordinator

BBCC is able to provide youth-focused substance abuse prevention,

mental health and overall wellness programs

thanks to caring individuals and companies.



A rising trend in oral nicotine supplements is flooding the marketplace and very likely showing up on your teen's social media pages. Our own Youth Action Board teens and alumni say that Zyn use, also know as “Zyning” is very prevalent in high school and college.

Zyn and other oral nicotine products like it, while not new, are gaining in popularity as they are being marketed as a safer alternative to vaping to deliver nicotine. And yes, it is being marketed and sold to teens.

• Oral nicotine pouches contain a nicotine powder instead of tobacco leaf.
• Nicotine pouches contain nicotine which is harmful to young people in any form.
• Due to the absence of tobacco leaf, the Food and Drug Administration does not classify oral nicotine pouches as a smokeless tobacco product.
• Oral nicotine pouches include brands such as Zyn, On! and Velo. sales and marketing highlight the flavors offered, which we know is popular among youth – nearly 85% of young e-cigarette users choose a flavored product, according to 2022 NYTS data.

Consider this, even the slightest amount of nicotine can be dangerous for youth. Many like Zyn are sold in 3 and 6 mg. (6 mg is about the equivalent of a cigarette. ) Velo is sold in 2, 4, and 7 mg. On! is sold in 1.5, 2, 3.5, 4, and 8 mg. Altria’s On! nicotine pouch product, called On! Plus, will offer nicotine strengths of 6, 9, and 12mg.

Nicotine use during adolescence can negatively impact brain development. In addition, research has shown early age of nicotine use is correlated with daily use and lifetime nicotine dependence. Nicotine use can also intensify symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Why Is This Attractive To Teens & What Can YOU Do?

Teens may mistakenly believe that it’s a safe way - safer than vaping - to get nicotine. They want nicotine for the buzz or jolt they get and believe that it will help them focus and power through difficult things. 

As with any substance, it’s important to educate yourself - knowledge is power. Knowing the harm and real effects of this substance on their developing brain and mental health will help you talk with conviction. If you suspect or know your teen is using nicotine pouches, remain calm, find a good time to talk, and come from a place of love and concern for your teen. And remember this won’t be a one-and-done conversation or effort. 

Graduation Season is here!

Graduation season is officially here, and that means banquets, ceremonies, and… parties. 

When it comes to graduation parties, many, in fact, most teens will celebrate responsibly, what’s more, those that end up drinking, vaping, or using other drugs, probably had an intention NOT to do so. But inevitably, peer pressure, looking ahead to the college experience, and FOMO (fear of missing out) take over.

The best tools you as a parent have are knowledge and open communication with your teen. Have a discussion about drugs and alcohol. Our YAB teens say that while not all parties will have this, some will, and it's more likely an expectation for graduation parties. Make your expectations about this known, as well as the consequences.

Since they will be heading off to college, many may see this as a right of passage - even some other parents. So, YOUR standing on this and agreement with your teen will be very important. You can talk through all of this with them openly and honestly, and more importantly, you can let them know that you'll be their backup if needed. Be just a call or text away and make sure your teen knows they can use that with no questions asked.

If your teen does find him or herself in a bad situation, where their friends are drunk or high, they need to know that they can reach out to you to get a ride home.

For parents who want to provide a safe graduation party, there are things you can put in place to ensure a fun, safe celebration:

• Plan with your teen a guest limit, and make sure to stick to it. You and your child can invite your guests directly via text, phone call, but make sure not to post about it on social media…. that’s when the word can spread and possibly get out of your control with too many people you don’t know coming to your home.
• Make sure to set an end time and that students and parents know when the party is ending and that they have arranged for a safe ride home. 
• If you are providing alcohol for the adults, make a clear distinction for this and have someone on hand to monitor the area/table.
• Make sure your expectations for no alcohol or drugs are known and will be enforced.

Remember, Parents are legally responsible for anything that happens to a minor who has been served alcohol or other drugs in their home. If anyone brings alcohol or other drugs to your home, be prepared to contact their parents. And if someone comes to your home already intoxicated, make sure that they get home safely. Help your teen feel responsible for this as well.

Parents may be criminally or civilly liable if:

• Alcohol is provided to a minor at a party they have organized.
• Someone's property is damaged.
• Someone is injured.
• Someone leaves and gets into a car accident and/or injures someone else.
• Someone dies.

Laws about alcohol and drug use vary from state to state, so make sure you know what the laws are in your state.

See below for Michigan Social Hosting laws.

[1] Tips for a Safe and Drug-Free Homecoming Season | Get Smart About Drugs

[2] A Parent's Guide to Teen Parties - HealthyChildren.org