Alcohol & Addictions Resource Center

07/23/2026

The More You Know: Here's the good news — YOU are one of the biggest influences in whether your teen uses drugs or alcohol.

Teenagers consistently name their parents as a top reason they choose NOT to use substances. Open, honest, consistent conversations — about your values, your family's beliefs, your expectations — make a real difference.

Don't let social media deliver that message for you. (SAMHSA, 2022)

07/21/2026

The More You Know: It's not too early to talk to your elementary-age child about alcohol and drugs.

Kids as young as 9 start forming positive attitudes about alcohol. More than 3,000 young people age 12 try ma*****na for the first time every single day.

The earlier you start these conversations, the more they matter. Talk early — and talk often. (SAMHSA, 2022)

07/17/2026

Four weeks ago, AARC asked you to think about the power of a conversation.

Over these past weeks, we have covered why the talk matters, when to start, how to answer hard questions, and how to help your child stay safe behind the wheel and in the car.

The Talk They Hear You campaign exists because parents are the single most important influence in a young person's decision about alcohol and drugs. You do not have to be perfect in these conversations. You just have to keep talking together.

If this series gave you something useful, share it with another parent in St. Joseph County. The more families having these conversations, the safer our community becomes.

07/16/2026

The More You Know: Va**ng, ni****ne pouches, edibles — the landscape has changed. A lot.

Many of today's products are designed to be invisible, odorless, and discreet. Knowing what to look for, and staying in honest conversation with your kid, is one of the best things you can do as a parent right now.

You don't have to have all the answers — you just have to be aware.

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07/15/2026

Impaired driving is entirely preventable. And one of the most effective tools for preventing it is a conversation you can have today.

Here is what the data tells us:

About one in four teen car crashes involves an underage drinking driver. Every day in the United States, approximately 29 people die as a result of drunk-driving crashes — that is one person every 50 minutes. Drugs other than alcohol are involved in about 16 percent of motor vehicle crashes, and ma*****na users are about 25 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who have not used the drug.

Knowing the facts matters. So does making sure your child knows what you expect and what to do if they are ever in an unsafe situation.

SAMHSA's Talk They Hear You campaign recommends three things every parent can do:

Reinforce your expectations clearly. Let your child know it is never acceptable to get behind the wheel while impaired — and that accepting a ride from someone who is impaired is equally dangerous.

Help them build an exit plan. Make sure they know their options: calling a rideshare, reaching out to a trusted family member, staying put, or finding another way home. Practice it before they ever need it.

Show them you care. Kids are more likely to listen when they know the conversation is coming from concern for their safety, not a lack of trust in them.

The conversation does not have to be formal. It can happen in the car, at the dinner table, or when they ask to borrow the keys.

Visit www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov for more resources.

SAMHSA’s national youth substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members get informed, be prepared, and take action to prevent underage drinking and other substance use.

07/14/2026

The More You Know: Among youth ages 12–20, alcohol is the most commonly used substance — more than to***co, va**ng, or ma*****na.

10.9% of youth report using alcohol. 8.4% use to***co or ni****ne products. 7.1% use ma*****na.

These aren't scare numbers — they're a reason to have the conversation now, before someone else does.



Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2025). Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National estimates of substance use and mental health

07/13/2026

Three in five people will be involved in a crash caused by impaired driving in their lifetime.

That is not a distant statistic. That is your neighborhood, your school pickup line, your teenager's Friday night.

This week, AARC is closing out our series with the conversation that could matter most.

07/10/2026

One of the most powerful things a parent can do is practice the conversation before it happens.

What is the question from your kid that you would find hardest to answer? You do not have to share your answer — just the question. Drop it in the comments and let us know what parents in St. Joseph County are thinking about.

07/09/2026

The More You Know: Healthy boundaries around social media aren't about control — they're about connection.

When you set limits and stay curious about what your kid is watching, sharing, and following, you stay in the picture. And being in the picture matters more than any filter.

Set the boundary. Keep the conversation going.

07/08/2026

Kids ask hard questions. That is actually a good sign — it means they are listening to understand. Here is how SAMHSA's Talk They Hear You campaign recommends handling some of the most common ones:

"Why is alcohol bad for me?" — Explain that alcohol is harmful to a still-developing brain, affects judgment, and can lead to serious consequences including accidents, academic problems, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Stick to the facts rather than trying to scare them.

"Did you drink or use drugs when you were a kid?" — Honesty matters here. If you did, acknowledge it and acknowledge it was risky. Emphasize that we now know even more about the harm these substances cause to young people. Your story, told thoughtfully, can be one of the most credible things your child hears.

"You drink, so why can't I?" — Remind your child that underage drinking is against the law and that children's minds and bodies are still developing. Alcohol affects a young person's judgment and health far more significantly than it affects a fully developed adult.

"What if my friends ask me to try something?" — This is where preparation matters most. Work with your child to develop an exit plan — a simple phrase they can use, or a code word they can text to a family member when they need a way out of an uncomfortable situation.

Having answers ready does not mean the conversation has to feel rehearsed. It just means you are ready when the moment comes.

Learn more at www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov

SAMHSA’s national youth substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members get informed, be prepared, and take action to prevent underage drinking and other substance use.