Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorder Among Youth
When we talk about prevention, it can be tempting to look for a single cause or a clear warning sign. In reality, substance use disorder […]
Speaking Up Matters: Self-Advocacy and Opioids
Self-advocacy is a skill that develops over time, but its foundation is simple: asking questions, understanding options, and feeling comfortable speaking up about your own […]
Pressed Pills: What Are They?
Pressed pills, sometimes referred to as counterfeit or fake pills, are tablets that are made to look like legitimate prescription medications but are produced outside […]
Managing Pain Without Opioids
Even as awareness efforts expand, opioid medications continue to play a major role in modern medicine. In certain situations like acute injuries, post-surgical recovery, or […]
Always a Pleasure, Bemidji!
Last week we made another trip up to Bemidji to speak in the middle and high school, and as always, we had a wonderful time. […]
Youth Trauma Exposure and Substance Misuse: There is a Connection
It is an unfortunate truth that Minnesotans are currently experiencing elevated rates of traumatic experiences. When a child goes through something traumatic, or what psychologists […]
How Does Language Perpetuate Stigma?
We ended last week’s blog by mentioning the importance of having an honest, comprehensive conversation about opioids with youth, rather than focusing all our attention […]
Fentanyl Prevalence Numbers Are Always Changing: What Do I Need to Know as an Educator?
If you are a teacher who hosts CTO in their classroom every year, then you may have noticed that the number we report for the […]
Using Healthy Coping Skills in 2026: CTO Edition!
We started off 2026 talking about how we can help our children navigate the pressures around substance use in their lives. As advocates, we are […]
I Think My Child Is Struggling, What Now?
Realizing that your child may be struggling with substance use can be overwhelming. It could feel like a mix of fear, guilt, confusion, and urgency […]