News & Updates

  • Mercer Island High School club shows it's fun to be drug-free

    03/14/2017

    A new club at Mercer Island High School is offering a safe haven for students who want to steer clear of marijuana, alcohol and other substances, and is in turn inspiring others to make that choice too. Mercer Island’s S.A.F.E. Club (for Super Awesome Fun Events) was initiated by senior Sarah Stewart, who transferred from a high school in northern Michigan where problems with substance abuse

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  • Help your teens stay healthy and safe over summer

    03/14/2017

    Summer vacation is here, which means teens will be spending more time out and about doing fun things with friends. Summertime can also mean less supervision, and a greater chance your teen will have access to alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. When teens use alcohol, marijuana or other drugs, they can become impaired more quickly than someone who is over 21. Any impairment can lead to poor

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  • It's 4/20: Do you Know Where Your Teens Are?

    03/14/2017

    420. What do these numbers mean? Many parents are unaware that 420 has become a term associated with marijuana use and that April 20th has become a sort of “counter culture” holiday where people gather to celebrate and consume cannabis. Knowledge is power, and so is your influence. Get the facts about how marijuana use can cause memory and learning problems in teens, and other risks to teen

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  • Is your back to school list complete?

    03/14/2017

    Gather school supplies. ►Take kids shopping for clothes. ►Get sports physicals. ►Talk to kids about alcohol and marijuana. Getting ready to go back to school can be an exciting time for kids as they look forward to being back with their friends and all the activities and opportunities that school brings. It can also be a time of sadness, knowing that the freedom of summer is coming

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  • Changing the Conversation about 4.20

    03/14/2017

    With support from Governor Jay Inslee (read his proclamation here), the Washington Healthy Youth Coalition is helping to change the conversation on April 20th from a cannabis culture celebration, to a day to talk with your kids about NOT using marijuana. Our goal is to support parents in talking with their kids to help them make healthy choices. Parents have the greatest influence on a child’s

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  • Back to School Tips for Parents and Caregivers

    03/14/2017

    Just like adults, students of all ages can experience a range of emotions when the school year begins. Going back to school can be a time of excitement as students look forward to being with their friends and all the activities and opportunities that school brings. It can be a time of sadness, knowing that the freedom of summer has come to an end. And it can be a time of anxiety, wondering, “

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  • New Toolkit for Preventing Underage Marijuana Use

    03/14/2017

    Are you waiting for your kids to talk to you about marijuana? Now that marijuana is legal in Washington for those who are 21 and older, it's more important than ever for parents to talk with their kids about not using marijuana. A new toolkit, Preventing Underage Marijuana Use, is now available for educating middle and high-school aged youth and their parents about the health and safety risks

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  • Teens + Alcohol + Cars = A Deadly Mixture

    03/14/2017

    This holiday season, when family celebrations may include alcohol, talk about the risks of underage drinking with your children and teens. Talk early, talk often, and let them know that most of their friends are making healthy and safe choices. The following article from a parent reminds us that the time to talk and act is now. By Joe Pallitto It was a long day and we all went to bed

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  • Summer begins 100 deadliest days for teen drivers

    03/14/2017

    Driver impairment is the leading contributor in most teen driving fatalities Summer is fast approaching and teens will soon be out of school, car keys in hand, and looking forward to a little summertime fun. With a little more freedom and increased opportunities for teens to get behind the wheel, parents need to be extra vigilant as we enter the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. The months

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  • Practice talking to your kids with new mobile app

    03/14/2017

    Prepare for one of the most important conversations you may ever have with your kids about underage drinking (or other drug use). SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” app is available on desktop computers and on the go from the App Store, Google Play™, the Windows® Store, and Windows® Phone Store. Watch this quick video to see how the app works (Video: 1:01).

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