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SAFE Choices: Choose Knowledge

Prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery in the news

Choose knowledge and gain the power to empower with these publications, journals, and reports that pertain to youth substance prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery.

Recent Highlights

Week of December 5, 2022

Impaired driving related accidents could happen to anyone!

(image source — https://ccdlaw.com/safety/impaired-crash-stats/)

Week of November 28, 2022

When it comes to vaping, cigarette smoking, and tobacco chewing, it is important to know the facts, to understand the deceiving marketing strategies, and to have appropriate resources. Equally important is knowing how to confidently talk with your teen about this subject. Check out this CDC and US Surgeon General tip sheet for parents that contains information on how to prepare for the talk, how to start the conversation, and how to keep the conversation going.

Week of November 21, 2022

Every day, the tobacco industry spends $25 million to market their products. These two articles include information on tactics and ploys that target youth, an underage population.

Week of November 14, 2022

The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, November 17. Quitting smoking (vaping, chewing) is an individual process that begins with a single day. The American Cancer Society has no-cost resources and information on programs and supports that will help guide you on your journey to quit.

Week of November 7, 2022

More than 2.5 million high and middle school students currently use e-cigarettes according to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Week of October 30, 2022

SAFE Project invites you to prioritize prevention and keep the momentum of Red Ribbon Week throughout the entire year. Prevention is the most underutilized response to the addiction epidemic — everyone can play a role!

To help those engaged with the youth sector (parents, guardians, caretakers as well as schools and youth serving organizations), SAFE Project is happy to provide SAFE Solutions, a one-of-a-kind, online resource that consists of educational materials, innovative approaches, and researched best practices curated by national subject matter experts in addressing challenges pertaining to mental health and substance use disorders. Find solutions filtered by desired outcomes and/or on the continuum of care (prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and systems).

Together, through collaboration of all impacted community sectors, we can work to ensure many great school years and promote wellness across the lifespan.

Week of October 24, 2022

Check out these action-oriented Red Ribbon Week choice options and show your support of SAFE Project’s red ribbon slogan: Choose your path. Make SAFE choices.

Week of October 17, 2022

Week of October 10, 2022

Week of October 3, 2022

In recognition of National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month and red ribbon week, SAFE Project has created a resource landing page on our website:

On this site, you can request a supply of SAFE Project-designed red ribbons or red ribbon week stickers inscribed with the message “Choose Youth Path. Make Safe Choices” for use at the local level in your community.

Week of September 26, 2022

During National Recovery Month, SAFE Project is honored to join the thousands of impacted individuals, young and old, as they come together to spread positive messages that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, that and people can and do recover.

This week, we would like to bring your attention to the “Mobilize Recovery Across America 2022” national bus tour which started September 5 and will go through October 6. Visit the Mobilize Recovery website to check out the highlights of each unique visit and hear messages about the common mission of ending overdose, ending addiction, and inspiring solutions for recovery.

September 30 is International Recovery Day. To learn more and join the celebration, visit – https://internationalrecoveryday.org/registration/

Week of September 19, 2022

SAFE Project is proud to join agencies and organizations across the country in taking steps to raise awareness of recovery month. This week, we feature resources and upcoming events available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

Week of September 12, 2022

It has been three decades since the initial National Recovery Month, an observance held every September in support of the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.

SAFE Project is a proud champion of those in recovery. We are pleased to provide these helpful resources that are available to those in recovery themselves and those helping individuals through their recovery journey.

Week of September 5, 2022

SAFE Project is honored to join the thousands of impacted individuals, young and old alike, as they come together during recovery month (September) to share inspiring messages of hope. To learn more about the history of recovery month as well as collaborative efforts across the country focused on the national theme: “Every Person. Every Family. Every Community”, visit:

The “Recovery & Resiliency with Real Students” recorded webinar is brought to you by the New England PTTC and SAMHSA Region 1:

Week of August 29, 2022

The success of each school year largely depends on a supportive and intentional collaboration between, student, family, educational facility, and faculty. With the diversity of concerns facing youth today, placing priority on mental health can lead to better outcomes. The most effective and sustainable approaches to improved mental health begins with understanding the needs of the individuals you seek to support.

The National Institute of Mental Health provides a list of warning signs, as well as brochures and other resources on mental health topics such as anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and more:

Week of August 22, 2022

As schools across America are opening their doors to the start of the 2022/23 school year, we encourage all to prioritize youth mental health.

The state of an individual’s mental health affects every aspect of their life, including how they think, feel, and act. For young people experiencing symptoms of mental health challenges, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be. Early treatment can help prevent more severe conditions as the child moves into adulthood. Relevant and supportive research on the topic include:

Week of August 15, 2022

Beginning a new school year usually comes with some anxiety, but in today’s uncertain times students may need a lot more support, reassurance, and comfort before they’re ready to learn.

To help, SAFE Project is happy to announce our Back to School resource page. It contains tools specifically for those engaged with the youth sector (parents, guardians, and caretakers, as well as schools and youth-serving organizations). Having conversations about mental health and substance use can build resilience and support youth in making healthy safe choices now and across their lifespan.

Week of August 8, 2022

The range of emotion spans across the spectrum from super excited to super stressed. There are many preparations that need to take place before the homeroom bell rings. This school year, we at SAFE Project encourage you to add a child “Mental Health Checkup” to your list of back-to-school preparations.

To help those engaged with the youth sector (parents, guardians, caretakers, as well as schools and youth serving organizations), SAFE Project is happy to provide SAFE Solutions, a one-of-a-kind, online resource that consists of educational materials, innovative approaches, and researched best practices curated by national subject matter experts in addressing challenges pertaining to mental health and substance use disorders. Find Solutions filtered by desired outcomes and/or on the continuum of care (prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and systems).

Together, through collaboration of all impacted community sectors, we can work to ensure many great school years and promote wellness across the lifespan.

Week of August 1, 2022:

One of the toughest issues for families and friends is how to navigate the systems that provide care and/or support — and it’s especially hard when they are in a crisis situation.

  • Building Blocks: Create a Crisis Plan for Your Minor or Adult Child
    A SAFE Project resource focused on how to plan or prepare for the unexpected. Not every adult or child will need crisis intervention services, treatment, or hospitalization, but we encourage parents and/or caregivers to have a plan in place and know their rights — as well as their child’s rights.
  • No Shame Youth Education Program
    A SAFE Project supplemental education program for youth and young adults. This no-cost program increases knowledge of the principles on the No Shame pledge and empowers youth as informed advocates, individuals who can confidently speak out against stigma and take a pro health stance in support of individual wellness.

The downloadable complimentary version is suited for:

  • Youth and young adults
  • Educators
  • Youth-serving organizations
  • Parents, guardians, and caretakers of youth
  • ANYONE interested in the topic

Week of July 25, 2022:

  • NBC News: States that legalized marijuana now researching mental health risks of high-potency cannabis
    “Products like wax and shatter can have THC levels up to 90 percent, and states like Washington and Colorado are looking at potency caps and product warnings.”
  • NIH: Nurturing My Mental & Emotional Health
    “Mental and emotional wellbeing is critical to overall health. By supporting teens in developing healthy coping skills, you can set them up for success in dealing with stress and challenging circumstances in the future. This activity helps promote mindfulness and teaches teens how to practice health-enhancing behaviors, which can support better management of stress and reduce the chances of exploring substance use as an alternative.”

Week of July 18, 2022:

  • Community Catalyst: Youth Are the Key to a Better Adolescent Behavioral Health System
    “Young people are speaking out about their experiences with mental illness and substance misuse, and many are eager to shape solutions to a growing crisis. Youth with lived experiences of mental illness and substance use challenges, including addiction, understand first-hand the limitations, inequities, and failures of the current system. This Mental Health Awareness Month, policymakers are actively working to address this issue, and it’s critical that youth with lived experience are meaningfully engaged.”

Week of July 11, 2022:

  • SAMHSA: 988 and What it means for Families of People with Serious Mental Illness (Webinar Registration)
    “988*, the new three-digit number for mental health and suicidal crises, will be available nationwide by July 16, 2022. Once live, 988 is poised to change the way communities respond to people in crisis, connecting individuals to trained crisis counselors that can provide de-escalation and mental health intervention services by phone. This new number holds lots of promise, but what does this change mean for families of people with serious mental illness?”
  • CDC: Mental Health Surveillance Among Children — United States, 2013–2019
    “Mental health encompasses a range of mental, emotional, social, and behavioral functioning and occurs along a continuum from good to poor. Previous research has documented that mental health among children and adolescents is associated with immediate and long-term physical health and chronic disease, health risk behaviors, social relationships, education, and employment.”

Week of July 4, 2022:

Week of June 27, 2022:

  • Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network: Pride Month 2022
    “The PTTC Network joins with others in recognizing June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Our network is committed to ensuring all our programs are equitable and inclusive. On this resources page, you’ll find links to Network events, products, and resources to achieve those goals and foster an environment of respect, support, and equality.”
  • youth.gov: June is LGBT Pride Month
    “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans.”
  • JUVJUST: OJJDP Celebrates LGBTQI+ Pride Month
    “President Biden proclaimed June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Pride Month.”
  • Partnership to End Addiction: LGBTQ+, Family, & Substance Use
    “As a parent or caregiver, showing your love, acceptance and support is essential to promoting your child’s well-being. This behavior can significantly decrease an LGBTQ+ teen’s likelihood of substance use and improve their mental health.”

Week of June 20, 2022:

  • Partnership to End Addiction: Looking for LGBTQ-Friendly Treatment for Your Child? Here are 9 questions to ask.
    “When a child has a health crisis with substance use or a combination of mental health and substance use problems, it can be frightening and stressful. You may be tempted to grab whatever resource is closest. However, taking a moment to ask questions and assess your options will help get your child into a program that’s right for them.”
  • SAMHSA: LGBTQI+ Youth – Like All Americans, They Deserve Evidence-Based Care
    “As a clinical psychologist, academician, and government leader, I have focused on ensuring that mental health care services and policies are culturally responsive, evidence-based and in the best interest of those receiving services. Providing timely, appropriate, and evidence-based treatment vastly improves outcomes and can help save our young people from suicide ideation and attempts. I want to share what we know works to best engage Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQI+) youth as well as the resources we have for them, their families, providers, community organizations, and government agencies.”

Week of June 13, 2022:

  • SAMHSA: Pride Month Chat with Representative Ritchie Torres
    Join SAMHSA, Thursday, June 16th, 11:30am ET in celebrating Pride Month with a virtual fireside chat with Representative Ritchie Torres. Rep. Torres is an openly gay man who has acknowledged his own struggles with mental health. This event is for any individual with an interest in LGBTQI+ behavioral health. Submit your question for Rep. Torres when you register at the link.

Substance Use and Mental Health LGBTQ+ Resources:

Week of June 6, 2022:

Week of May 30, 2022:

Week of May 23, 2022:

  • CDC: Children’s Mental Health: Understanding an Ongoing Public Health Concern
    A new report on children’s mental health used data from different sources to describe mental health and mental disorders in children during 2013–2019. Poor mental health among children continues to be a substantial public health concern. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety among children of all ages, and symptoms related to depression among adolescents, are the most common concerns.
  • NIH: Nurture Your Resilience – Bouncing Back From Difficult Times
    “Everyone goes through tough times in life. But many things can help you survive—and even thrive—during stressful periods. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Learning healthy ways to cope and how to draw from resources in your community can help you build resilience.”

Week of May 16, 2022:

  • Mental Health America: “The State of Mental Health in America”
    Over 2.5 million youth in the U.S. have severe depression, and multiracial youth are at greatest risk. 10.6% of youth in the U.S. have severe major depression (depression that severely affects functioning). The rate of severe depression was highest among youth who identified as more than one race, at 14.5% (more than one in every seven multiracial youth).

You can help end stigma and show your support of individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges by joining SAFE Project’s No Shame Movement. Access the No Shame pledge as well as the newly developed “No Shame Youth and Young Adult Supplemental Education Program” on our toolkit page.

Week of May 9, 2022:

  • National Prevention Week (NPW) is a national public education platform bringing together communities and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health.

The 2022 NPW Daily Themes:

  • May 9: Strengthening Community Resilience: Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention
  • May 10: Preventing Substance Use and Promoting Mental Health in Youth
  • May 11: Preventing Suicide: Everyone Plays a Role
  • May 12: The Talent Pipeline: Enhancing the Prevention Workforce
  • May 13: Prevention is Everywhere: Highlighting Efforts Across Settings and Communities
  • May 14: Celebrating Prevention Heroes

Week of May 2, 2022:

Week of April 25, 2022:

  • CDC: Alcohol Use and Your Health
    “Drinking too much can harm your health. Excessive alcohol use led to more than 140,000 deaths and 3.6 million years of potential life lost (YPLL) each year in the United States from 2015 – 2019, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 26 years. Further, excessive drinking was responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years. The economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in 2010 were estimated at $249 billion, or $2.05 a drink.”
  • Very Well Health: Mixing ADHD and Alcohol May Increase Your Risk of Addiction
    “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that causes hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and difficulty paying attention. By some estimates, ADHD affects approximately 11% of children and 4% of adults. Adults with ADHD may occasionally enjoy an alcoholic beverage, but they should be very cautious.”

Week of April 18, 2022:

  • SAMHSA: Alcohol Use Among Girls and Young Women (PDF)
    “For at least the past two decades, data showed that boys and young men were more likely to drink than girls and young women. However, an unsettling trend has taken hold: Data now show that girls and young women, ages 12 to 20, are drinking more alcohol than their male counterparts.”
  • SAMHSA: Facts on Underage Drinking (PDF)
    “Alcohol continues to be the most widely used substance of abuse among American youth, and a higher proportion use alcohol than tobacco, marijuana, or other drugs.”
  • SAMHSA: “Talk. They Hear You.”® Campaign
    “SAMHSA’s national substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking with their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.”
  • SAMHSA: Be Prepared to Have the Difficult Conversation (PDF)
    “Before you allow your underage children to attend a party where you think alcohol may be available, take the opportunity to inform them of how alcohol and other substances—such as marijuana—can affect their bodies and minds.”
  • SAMHSA: After High School – Talking With Your Young Adult About Underage Drinking (PDF)
    “While they’re wrapping up high school studies and obligations, high school seniors make important decisions about the rest of their lives. Some choose to pursue a college degree immediately, and others may decide to join the workforce or military or delay college enrollment.”

Week of April 11, 2022:

Week of April 4, 2022:

  • NIAAA Spectrum: Words Matter When Discussing Alcohol Issues: A New Stigma-Free Vocabulary for Better AUD Outcomes
    “Word choice may seem out of place among the myriad factors that can influence outcomes for a complex condition like alcohol use disorder (AUD). In fact, the stigma created by the language that is used to describe alcohol problems can decrease many people’s willingness to seek help for alcohol problems. It also can affect how people with AUD are treated in all aspects of life”

    • To raise awareness about alcohol-related harms and the importance of alcohol policy safeguards, the Northwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) has launched the Alcohol Awareness Toolkit #ProoflsInTheNumbers. The Alcohol Awareness Toolkit seeks to do the following during the month of April:

    • Raise awareness about alcohol-related harms and the importance of strong alcohol policies using memes,
    • Encourage engagement from prevention and public health stakeholders to strategically educate and inform decision makers about effective alcohol policies by providing easy-to-personalize, templated opinion editorials, letters to legislators and proclamations, and
    • Provide materials to raise awareness around weekly themes in observance of April as National Alcohol Awareness Month.

     

    2022 Weekly Themes by PTTC

    • Week 1: Harms to Others/Impaired Driving/Violence (April 1-3)
    • Week 2: Increases in Alcohol-Related Emergency Room Visits (April 4-10)
    • Week 3: Alcohol’s Role in The Opioid Epidemic (April 11-17)
    • Week 4: Alcohol and Cancer (April 18-24)
    • For more resources, visit the PTTC Network Alcohol Awareness Toolkit

    Week of March 28, 2022:

    Week of March 21, 2022:

    Week of March 14, 2022:

    • SAFE Treatment and Family Support Locator
      SAFE Project and Partnership to End Addiction launched the first-of-its-kind online SAFE Treatment and Family Support Locator. For every person navigating a substance use or mental health challenges or who identifies as being in recovery, there is often a parent, child, spouse, or caregiver who is right beside them in that journey. While there are reputable locators to find treatment and recovery resources, families and caregivers did not have access to reliable online support resources for themselves–until now.

    Week of March 7, 2022:

    Week of February 28, 2022:

    • RAND.org: Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking
      “The Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, established under Section 7221 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, was charged with examining aspects of the synthetic opioid threat to the United States—specifically, with developing a consensus on a strategic approach to combating the illegal flow of synthetic opioids into the United States.”

    Week of February 21, 2022:

    • SAFE Project: Addiction & Mental Health Resources for the Black Community
      Everyone’s journey to recovery is unique — but when it comes to treatment the Black community experiences more barriers to treatment than other groups. Attention to the addiction epidemic has focused primarily on White suburban and rural communities. Less attention has focused on Black communities which are similarly experiencing dramatic increases in opioid misuse and overdose deaths. In SAFE Project’s commitment to ensure that members of the Black community have access to recovery, prevention, and mental health resources, we have curated a list of recovery and mental health resources specifically for the Black community.

    Week of February 14, 2022:

    Week of February 7, 2022:

    • Feb. 7-13, 2022 is Children’s Mental Health Week AND Children’s Author Week
      This year, SAFE Project is highlighting both by featuring two books and their respective authors. These books are specifically written for children and themed on substance use and mental health, while endorsing open and meaningful conversations with kids. The books promote mental and emotional learning and resilience skill building that lead to safe choices in all stages of youth development.

    My Brother Is Not A Monster

    My Brother Is Not A Monster tells the story of young Sophia. She is upset when her older brother, Joey, begins acting differently. Sophia is scared when she finds Joey passed out and unresponsive. She witnesses EMTs revive Joey with Narcan. During her brother’s recovery, their mom explains to Sophia that Joey suffers from a disease called addiction that can sometimes make people behave in ways that are scary. Joey goes through treatment and starts on a path to recovery. Written by Lee S. Varon, this story can be a tool to begin having tough conversations with young ones. The book is for children, parents, and any adult supporting a child with a family member who has substance use disorder or mental health challenges. It has workbook pages with tips and resources for children and parents. Learn more about My Brother Is Not A Monster.

    Someone I Love Died from a Drug Overdose

    Someone I Love Died from a Drug Overdose tells the story of Tommy, a young boy whose father struggles with substance use disorder. The book covers addiction and loss from a child’s point of view. It addresses Tommy’s loving relationship with his parents, moments of parental conflict, his father’s journey to treatment, and ultimately the disease of addiction causing his father’s death. It normalizes Tommy’s thoughts and feelings and conveys the importance of open and honest conversations. The “My Story” workbook section allows a child that lost a loved one to an overdose to share their own story. “Sharing our experiences helps create an atmosphere of healing”, said Author, Melody Ray. Learn more about Someone I Love Died from a Drug Overdose.

    Week of January 31, 2022:

    Week of January 25, 2022:

    Week of January 17, 2022:

    Week of January 10, 2022:

    Week of January 3, 2022:

    Week of December 27, 2021:

    • United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) news release: “Emoji Drug Code Decoded”
      “Criminal Drug Networks are killing Americans and they are using social media to deliver deadly doses of fentanyl”, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.

    Week of December 20, 2021:

    • Short Takes with NIAAA
      Short takes video series on the topic of alcohol: “What are alcohol induced black outs?”, “What is alcohol use disorder?”, “What is binge drinking?”, and “What is alcohol overdose?”
    • Monitoring the future survey results:
      “We have never seen such dramatic decreases in drug use among teens in just a one-year period,” National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow, M.D., said in a news release. “These data are unprecedented and highlight one unexpected potential consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused seismic shifts in the day-to-day lives of adolescents. Moving forward, it will be crucial to identify the pivotal elements of this past year that contributed to decreased drug use – whether related to drug availability, family involvement, differences in peer pressure, or other factors – and harness them to inform future prevention efforts.”
    • New survey shows progress on curbing teen vaping, but e-cigarette use remains high as access to flavors, risk of nicotine addiction, and impact on youth mental health concerns grow
      “The 2021 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey data released today show progress in the fight to curb youth nicotine vaping, signaling efforts to provide education to prevent e-cigarette use and quitting resources are starting to work.”

    Week of December 6, 2021:

    Week of November 29, 2021:

    Week of November 22, 2021:

    • USA Today: Drug overdoses surged amid COVID lockdowns
      “More than 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses during the 12 months following the COVID-19 lockdowns, the most overdose deaths ever recorded in a one-year span, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

    Week of November 15, 2021:

    • SAMHSA Advisory: Prescription Stimulant Misuse Among Youth and Young Adults
      “This Advisory reviews the evidence on prescription stimulant misuse among youth and young adults. It establishes prescription stimulant misuse as a public health problem, identifies associated risk and protective factors, and provides programs and action steps for stakeholders to prevent misuse.”

    Week of November 8, 2021:

    • SAMHSA releases 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
      “The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released findings from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the nation’s well-being. Americans responding to the NSDUH survey reported that the coronavirus outbreak adversely impacted their mental health, including by exacerbating use of alcohol or drugs among people who had used drugs in the past year.”
    • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Releases Fact Sheet: TRAUMA-INFORMED SCHOOL STRATEGIES DURING COVID-19
      “This fact sheet offers information on the physical and emotional well-being of staff, creating a trauma-informed learning environment, identifying and assessing traumatic stress, addressing and treating traumatic stress, trauma education and awareness, partnerships with students and families, cultural responsiveness, emergency management and crisis response, and school discipline policies and practices.”
    • White House Releases Fact Sheet: IMPROVING ACCESS AND CARE FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CONDITIONS
      “Even before the pandemic, demand for mental health and substance use services was increasing, especially for our nation’s young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation more challenging, subjecting many young Americans to social isolation, loss of routines, and traumatic grief.”

Additional Resources & Assistance

For more information about SAFE Choices, contact
Senior Director Ronna Yablonski at: ronna@safeproject.us

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