Monday, June 15, 2026

Additional Substance Abuse Trends: Alcohol – Counterfeit Pills – Fentanyl

 



Over the past few weeks, we've been talking about current trends in substance abuse prevention. While vaping and THC products often get the most attention, there are others worth mentioning.

Alcohol prevention is still important, so remind youth that there is no safe level of alcohol use for teens under 18 years of age. 🍷🍺The 2025 Monitoring the Future survey reported that alcohol use remained stable with 11% of 8th graders, 24% of 10th graders, and 41% of 12th graders reporting alcohol use in the past year. 

Counterfeit pills and Fentanyl continue to present serious risks for the youth population. 💊 It is worth reminding youth that the ONLY safe medication is that prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. This matters because many times youth may not always understand the risk of taking a pill from a friend, peer, or an online source. Remind them that even a very small amount of fentanyl can be deadly.

We encourage parents and caregivers to remain vigilant. Summer months can bring more free time with parties, sleepovers, travel, and less structured routines. Continue to seek opportunities for conversations to speak clearly about your family's expectations around alcohol, vaping, drugs, and impaired decision-making before situations presen themselves.

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