DrugFreeAzKids News

Summer Safety: Synthetic Drugs

As our kids gear up for a summer of fun ahead, parents need to be aware of the synthetic drugs available to kids. Some of the most common right now include N-bomb, bath salts and spice, which are street names for substances like synthetic marijuana, psychoactive plants, harmful powders and synthetic hallucinogens similar to LSD.

You can read more at Scottsdale Living Magazine, where the article originally appeared.

Teens: Get Involved This Summer!

What’s on your summer checklist, teens? Maybe sleeping in, working, hanging out friends or a combination of all of the above?

In between your summer “must do” list, DrugFreeAz.org has a fast and easy way you can also add “community involvement” to your list of accomplishments by sharing your story for our Teen Pressure video. This video will be distributed to schools across Arizona, so it’s a great chance for you to make a positive impact in our community and share your advice with other teens.

Weekly Recap: N-bomb Webinar Recording, Synthetic Drug News & MedReturn Boxes

Even though it’s been a week of winding down, whether through graduations, last days of school and general slowing down due to the long holiday weekend ahead, it was a busy week for local drug news.

Here’s a recap of some of this week’s drug-related local news and events, in case you missed them:

Keeping Your Teen Safe During Seasonal Celebrations

With finals coming to an end, high school seniors everywhere are eagerly awaiting the moment they can throw their caps into the air and say hello to their future. As parents and students gear up for the big day, we are reminding parents to talk to their teen about graduation celebrations and playing it safe by making good decisions including staying away from drugs and alcohol. 

Marijuana is Not Harmless

The topic of marijuana is probably more prevalent in day-to-day news and conversations now more than ever. Here’s some great information, courtesy of Sheila Polk and Carolyn Short, about some of the marijuana facts and realities facing our communities.

Marijuana is Not Harmless

Written by Sheila Polk and Carolyn Short

Marijuana brings dangerous consequences.

Making the Most of Your Moments as a Mom

As we go into this Mother’s Day weekend, we want to recognize everything that moms do. There’s no end to the list, and really no definite moment when your role is finished. Part of that role includes your influence on your kids. Parents are a big influence on their child’s choices, and research indicates parental disappointment is a leading factor as to why kids turn down drugs and alcohol.

4 Tips to Reduce Final Exam Stress

Before a sweet summer of freedom, our kids must first buckle down and tackle final exams. Whether your kids are in high school or college, this can be a nerve-wracking and stressful time.

Add "N-bomb" & "Smiles" to Your Radar

As if the synthetic drug front wasn't already scary enough, the latest addition to this drug category that's hitting especially close to home is 2C-1, also referred to as "Smiles" or "N-bomb."

Check out this recent Azcentral story highlighting the reality of this new synthetic drug and how it's impacting youth in our community.

Cinco de Mayo for the Family

Holidays are a great time to be together as a family and have fun with friends. But it can get complicated when a holiday includes a strong association to celebrating with alcohol, especially when kids ask why.

With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner on Sunday, you might find yourself in that situation. Don’t worry: You can still have a fun and safe (and maybe even educational!) Cinco de Mayo celebration, while embracing the real origin of the holiday.

Here’s Two Ideas:

Keeping Your Teens Safe

According to new information obtained through a survey by Liberty Mutual Holding Co. and a safety group, our teens might have some startling misinformation when it comes to their perception of the impact of drugs and alcohol. The survey found that 34% of teens feel marijuana improves their driving skills.