Be on the lookout for the NPS Student Council's NEW anti-vaping ads!
Parent Awareness
On this page, check out our video about teen mental health and substance misuse; get parenting strategies and resources from our monthly newsletter; see our Q&A about keeping kids substance free. We also have a FAQ and more info on our mental health page
There's room for improvement in our teens' sleep schedules, exercising, and extracurricular involvement. Check out our 2024 Youth Survey to learn more!
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What do I need to know about youth & substance use?
Parent Q&A
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The human brain is still developing until age 25. Alcohol or other drugs can cause IQ loss & damage the developing brain.
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For every year that a youth delays having their first drink or drug, they reduce their chance of developing an addiction by 14%.
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Most Norwalk teens do not drink alcohol or use other drugs.
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Kids who have depression or anxiety are more likely to drink and use other drugs.
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.Today's marijuana is engineered to be VERY strong. Kids often vape it from concentrates that are almost pure THC--which can cause psychosis.
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Vaping is more dangerous than cigarettes, and many teens are addicted. Big Tobacco is using our kids as a new market, since cigarette use has dropped.
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Counterfeit drugs that look like ADHD meds, Xanax, etc. can contain fentanyl! ONLY use drugs when prescribed to you from a pharmacy.
Social media's effect on kids and teens
Learn about the pros, cons, and mental health effects of social media. Not only is it impacting teen functioning, but adult health as well.
Try a Digital Detox!
A digital detox can be essential for maintaining good teen mental health. Try staying off screens for 24 hours with your family members, and make it fun! Read this article on how to get your teens to agree to a digital detox!
"Cancel culture—the practice of withdrawing support from individuals or companies who have done or said something offensive—can be helpful in making social change... But when it comes to teenage cancel culture, the negative mental health effects outweigh the positives. Teens are still forming their identities and their beliefs, and they need to be able to learn from their mistakes rather than being punished."