🌞Taking a Timeout⏸️

✨If you hear the words “baby steps” this week, you’ll know why… I’m channeling a little What About Bob? energy and taking some well-earned vacation time.🌴 If you're not familiar with the classic Bill Murray movie, here's a clip📺!

That means there will be no edition of The Activator next week. 📰📬 In the meantime, be sure to follow along with my social series for inspiration, a little humor, some headlines, and the latest trends. If you like it, share it! 🎉 See you soon 😎 — until then, baby steps back into action! 😄Follow along and join the conversation👏

✨ You Don’t Want to Miss This! 👀

🏀 March Madness is here! While brackets are busting, it’s the perfect time to make a winning move for your organization. Book services by April 15 and score 10% off in-person trainings and 5% off virtual sessions. Even better—additional discounts are available for multi-session bookings and returning clients. Don’t sit this one out… you won’t want to miss this opportunity! 📅 Schedule a 1:1 today

🗞️ What’s Making Headlines 🌎

A tale of two beers: Spending at bars is on the rise, while retail alcohol sales are falling

NBC News

...Alcohol consumption overall is declining in the U.S., but some are encouraging social drinking...

Alcohol makes your brain forget how to communicate with itself VICE

Democrats want $60M in new fees for alcohol industry AXIOS

...To combat Colorado's high rate of alcohol-related deaths, Democratic lawmakers want to levy as much as $60 million in fees on manufacturers of beer, wine and spirits...

Fort Lauderdale business blame new alcohol ordinance for a 'considerable decrease' in Spring Break sales CBS News

...new city ordinance banning outdoor alcohol sales and open containers in entertainment districts...spring breakers agree that the atmosphere is tamer...

California 'party mom' accused of hosting alcohol-fueled teen sex parties is convicted of more than 60 crimes CBS News

'Roof full of drugs': $25M in meth seized from tractor trailer in Troup County Fox5 (GA)

Woman caught with cocaine bricks inside duty-free alcohol boxes at Boston's Logan Airport, prosecutors say CBS News

Chocolate male supplement recalled over hidden erectile dysfunction drug HealthDay

...It contains undeclared Tadalafil, the drug in Cialis, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction...

Overdose trends shift as cocaine deaths continue to climb in Hamilton County Local12 (OH)

Drug task force prepares for new synthetic opioids found in Kentucky ABC13 (KY)

...The Warren County Drug Task Force is staying alert and spreading awareness for the possible arrival of Cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid recently detected in Kentucky...

Call for action as sinister 'legal drug' trend sweeps Aussie suburbs: 'Brazen' Yahoo News

...Nitrous oxide, an odorless gas used to make whipped cream, is popping up in suspicious places with potentially deadly consequences...

How vaping is different among youth adults and teens Psychology Today

Key points

Nicotine exposure before age 25 disrupts brain development, causing permanent cognitive impairments.
Despite the risks and new regulations, vape products continue to be marketed aggressively to young people.
Many teens are unaware that vape products contain nicotine.

Puff Pass: Americans warned as new Spring Break 'vaping' law threatens beach goers with jail time The Sun

Vape shops selling replica handgun torch lighters spark safety concerns despite being banned in 2010 CBS News

New Product: Geek Bar Clio Platinum 50K launches with advanced feature for extended vaping Vaping360

...Three modes—Regular, Pulse, and Super Pulse—deliver about 50,000, 25,000, and 20,000 puffs...

🔎What's New📦

'New' Trends, Products, & Resources

From the 'alcohol alternative' files...Sip Elixirs are the latest product filling my feeds. Available online and shipped right to your door, this “1M+ sold” product promotes itself as a fast-acting THC drink for every mood — all buzz, no booze.

Ten bold flavors, three strengths, one sleek bottle. The marketing promises you can sip your way to Party, Chill, Sleep, or Energy.

And yes… all the familiar buzz words (pun intended): free shipping, percent-off promos, low calorie, low sugar, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and more to sell the product.

What stood out the most? A simple age gate — “Yes, I’m 21.” That’s the only thing standing between any buyer, anywhere, and their next high.

📸: Sipelixirs

📸: 5-hour ENERGY

While watching some college hoops this week one heavily played TV ad stood out to me...5-hour ENERGY released their 'sweetness' line of products...Can anyone else see the allure to kids here?!?

This week a national prevention newsletter shared a free curriculum that includes videos 🎥, lesson plans 📝, social media tools 📱, and more for parents, teachers, and kiddos 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦. Sounds great, right? 🤔

Well… sometimes free comes with strings. 🎣 Always take a moment to follow the money behind programs 💰. If you check the “about” page 🔎, you’ll see it references www.responsibility.org, the alcohol industry’s nonprofit!

Now, I’m not saying don’t use it 🚫 — but I am saying it’s important to talk about what the messaging may actually communicate. Messages like “alcohol is an adult activity” 🍷 may unintentionally appeal to that youth rebellion streak.

💡The more you know 🌈 Learn More