NOT HERE.
This is the standard our community is setting. Because when it comes to youth and substance use, silence sends the wrong message.
Teens who know their parents do not approve of teen use of alcohol, marijuana, or vaping are far less likely to use. It’s that simple. Setting clear, consistent boundaries doesn’t make you the “mean” parent. It makes you the trusted one.
Together, we can make our homes, our teams, and our neighborhoods places where young people know: substance use doesn’t belong here.
Not in our house.
Not in our schools.
Not in our communities.
Not Here.
Quick Links
Underage Drinking
Marijuana
Vaping
Social Media
Worrisome Trends
Why It Matters
Connection
Conversation Starters
It starts with us.
According to a 2024 Gallup poll, 80% of kids say parents’ opinions affect their decision making.
Our Kids ARE listening
Parents are still the number one influence on their kids’ lives. Kids whose parents have clear rules and boundaries about alcohol and drug use are less likely to use those substances.
Many small conversations about healthy choices are better than one long one. Start by bringing it up in small moments like in the car, on the way to a game, or when they get home from school. Short reminders help to reinforce clear standards. Teach your child different ways to say NO.
Conversation Starters
How do you think substances affect your school and sports?
Would you feel safe telling me if you tried something?
What will you say if someone offers you drugs or alcohol?
What do you know about vapes?
Why do you think kids use drugs and alcohol?
Do you know what our expectations are?
What ways can we come us with to say no and get out of uncomfortable situations?
It starts with Connection.
Simple ways to connect with your family:
Tell bedtime stories
Talk around the dinner table
Have family game nights
Create seasonal traditions
Establish regular family routines
Support kids’ mental health
Genuine, meaningful connections with positive adults help to keep kids on the right track and away from harmful behaviors.
Ways to build stronger family bonds:
Cheer for their interests
Don’t live through them
Put connection before other activities
Make time together count - family dinners, game nights, shared hobbies
Model healthy relationships
Less pressure, more presence
Keep it real - resolve conflict, apologize, etc.
Why parents need to know
90% of adults who live with dependence on a substance began using that substance prior to the age of 18.
BUT
Youth whose parents talk with them about the risks of substance use are 50% less likely to use drugs and alcohol than those whose parents do not address it.
More Ideas for What Parents Can Do
Listen more than you talk
Respect their opinion
Ask questions
Eat family meals together
Be present and engaged
Show interest in what your child is into
Ask open ended questions
Encourage kids to be involved in sports and activities
Set clear boundaries and expectations
What we need to know about
Marijuana
It’s not the 60s anymore
THC, the component of marijuana that creates the high, has increased exponentially in recent years. From the 60s through the 80s, the average THC content was 2-4%
Now, the average THC concentration has increased to 17-28%
With different ways to consume, marijuana can be upward of 80-95% THC
Recent research on frequent use of highly potent concentrations of THC (also called dabbing) has shown an increased risk of schizophrenia and paranoia, sometimes leading to self harm.
Most youth who use marijuana are vaping it.
The liquid is concentrated to allow for higher THC concentration, producing a stronger high. Most youth have no idea how dangerous marijuana can be because it is advertised as herbal, natural, medicinal, or botanical.
There are numerous possible effects that accompany frequent use of high THC marijuana, including:
Headaches
Anxiety
Hallucinations
Difficulty Concentrating
Difficulty Sleeping
Increased Depression
Increased Risk of Schizophrenia
Psychosis and Paranoia
What we need to know about
Vaping
It’s not the 60s anymore
THC, the component of marijuana that creates the high, has increased exponentially in recent years. From the 60s through the 80s, the average THC content was 2-4%
Now, the average THC concentration has increased to 17-28%
With different ways to consume, marijuana can be upward of 80-95% THC
Recent research on frequent use of highly potent concentrations of THC (also called dabbing) has shown an increased risk of schizophrenia and paranoia, sometimes leading to self harm.
Most youth who use marijuana are vaping it.
The liquid is concentrated to allow for higher THC concentration, producing a stronger high. Most youth have no idea how dangerous marijuana can be because it is advertised as herbal, natural, medicinal, or botanical.
There are numerous possible effects that accompany frequent use of high THC marijuana, including:
Headaches
Anxiety
Hallucinations
Difficulty Concentrating
Difficulty Sleeping
Increased Depression
Increased Risk of Schizophrenia
Psychosis and Paranoia
Harvey County Youth
With chemical tweaks, there are many new variations of marijuana, including Delta 8, Delta 10, Delta 0, and more. Each of these provide differing effects and fall within a legally gray area, even locally, where marijuana use and sale is illegal. With the differing chemical makeup comes different effects and increased long-term risks. None of these chemically altered versions are regulated, so it is difficult to verify how much marijuana is in a product or even what else might be in it as well.
What we need to know about
Vaping
This isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of what we believe in. We’re here to create work that matters, led by a shared commitment to quality and care.