Celebrating Youth Success Stories in Prevention

 Too often, conversations about drug and alcohol prevention focus only on what not to do. While it’s essential to highlight the risks of substances like alcohol, marijuana, and fentanyl, prevention also thrives when we lift up the positive choices teens are already making. Celebrating those decisions — and the youth, parents, and community members who make them — is one of the most powerful tools in building a culture of prevention.

At SSAPCO, we believe that recognition fuels resilience. When young people see that their substance-free choices are noticed and valued, they are more likely to keep making those choices. Parents feel encouraged to stay engaged, and community members recognize that prevention is working here in Lemhi County.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2022) reminds us that positive reinforcement strengthens behavior. Just as athletes work harder when praised for their effort, teens are more likely to continue avoiding risky behaviors when their healthy decisions are recognized and celebrated.

This approach is sometimes called “flipping the narrative.” Instead of constantly warning about dangers, we shine a light on the students who are leading the way through programs like Drug Free Youth (DFY), parents who are actively setting rules and expectations, and community events that give kids safe, fun alternatives.

Youth Leaders Making a Difference

Our DFY members are a prime example of success in action. These students take on leadership roles by planning alcohol-free activities, speaking at school assemblies, and serving as role models for their peers. Events like Sticker Shock campaigns remind adults not to buy alcohol for minors, while fun activities like trivia nights, movie events, and family fun nights show that celebration doesn’t have to include substances.

By lifting up their stories and achievements — whether it’s a student who organizes an event, mentors a younger teen, or simply chooses to stay alcohol-free — we build a positive culture where prevention becomes the norm.

Parents as Prevention Partners

Parents are often surprised to learn that they remain the #1 influence on their teen’s choices about alcohol and drugs (SAMHSA, 2022). When parents set clear rules and expectations, monitor their teen’s activities, and provide safe alternatives, they are shaping a drug-free culture at home.

Recognizing and celebrating parent involvement is just as important as highlighting youth leadership. When parents take the time to attend prevention events, complete surveys at community fairs, or create safe ride policies with their children, they are making prevention real and practical. SSAPCO believes those efforts deserve to be recognized as successes, too.

Community Events that Build Culture

Another way we celebrate success is through community-wide prevention events. From Every 15 Minutes at Salmon High School to the Whobilation Family Dinner Night and Family Fun Nights, these gatherings do more than entertain — they create a shared understanding that our community values safety, health, and positive alternatives.

When 200+ residents come together to enjoy a meal, or when teens spend an evening at an alcohol-free trivia night instead of a party, those are successes worth celebrating. They show that prevention is possible and that Salmon is committed to giving youth opportunities to thrive without substances.

Why Success Stories Matter

Success stories serve three purposes:

  1. Inspiration: They show teens that being drug-free isn’t just possible — it’s normal, respected, and celebrated.

  2. Motivation: They encourage peers to join in and make similar choices.

  3. Validation: They reassure parents and community partners that prevention efforts are working and worth sustaining.

Every celebration, no matter how small, adds up to a larger cultural shift. Over time, highlighting youth success changes what’s considered “normal” behavior in a community.

Prevention is Possible

Too often, prevention can feel like an uphill battle against cultural norms or easy access to substances. But celebrating success reminds us that prevention is not just an idea — it’s happening right here in Lemhi County. Students are making healthy choices. Parents are setting rules and expectations. Community partners are working together to build safe alternatives.

At SSAPCO, we will continue to share these stories because they prove that change is possible. By celebrating every win — large or small — we reinforce the positive choices that protect our youth and build a culture of prevention for years to come.

Sources:

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2022). Talk. They Hear You.® Campaign.

  • National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). (2020). The Importance of Family Engagement in Prevention.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

National Surge in Pediatric THC Poisonings Over the Past Five Years

Image
Over the last five years, the United States has seen an alarming rise in children accidentally ingesting THC , the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is what produces the marijuana “high,” and when kids get into THC-infused products, the results can be dangerous. Recent data show that pediatric THC poisonings have skyrocketed. New research recorded a 1,375% increase in the number of young children (mostly toddlers) accidentally poisoned by cannabis edibles since 2017 ​  web.musc.edu   In raw numbers, cases rose from roughly 200 per year in 2017 to over 3,000 per year in 2021 ​  pbs.org  – more than 7,000 cases in total during that period. Health experts are sounding the alarm about this trend and urging stronger prevention measures. A Five Year Spike in Accidental Exposures Several factors contribute to the surge in pediatric THC exposures . The period of 2017–2021 coincides with many states legalizing medical or recreational cannabis, me...
Read more

Critical Issue: Underage Drinking

Image
 Underage drinking is a critical issue that, as Brown & Crouppen highlights, “can lead to devastating consequences for the minors themselves and those around them.” Their webpage underscores how early alcohol use poses significant health risks and legal ramifications. Individuals who drink before the legal age risk impairing brain development, which can influence memory, coordination, and long-term cognitive functions. Moreover, Brown & Crouppen explains that penalties for underage drinking may include driver’s license suspension, mandatory community service, steep fines, or even jail time in severe cases. The article also notes how adolescents often underestimate the dangers of alcohol, leading to increased injury risks, risky behavior, and involvement in serious car accidents. By detailing the physical, psychological, and social harm associated with underage drinking, Brown & Crouppen emphasizes the importance of parental involvement and community education initiative...
Read more

The Evolution of America’s “Fourth Wave” Overdose Crisis

Understanding the Four Waves of the Opioid Crisis: We often hear about the opioid epidemic, but it’s not a single monolithic event – it’s evolved in waves. To set the stage, Wave 1 started in the late 1990s with a surge in prescription opioid use (think OxyContin and Vicodin overprescribing). Wave 2 saw many people transition to heroin around the 2010s as prescriptions became harder to get. Wave 3 hit in the mid-2010s with the emergence of illicit fentanyl , a synthetic opioid vastly more potent than heroin, driving overdose deaths to new peaks. Now, we’re in what experts call the “Fourth Wave” – characterized by polysubstance overdoses, especially fentanyl mixed with other drugs like stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine) uclahealth.org . This means people aren’t just overdosing on opioids alone; often it’s fentanyl combined with meth or cocaine (sometimes intentionally, sometimes unbeknownst to the user). From 2010 to 2021, the proportion of U.S. overdose deaths involving both f...
Read more