Lessons Learned Last month, I shared a single conversation—one
• This is why policy matters. Funding, access, continuity of care, and accountability determine whether parents get a second chance—or a funeral. We can accept the growth of that club, or we can do the hard, proactive work to make sure fewer parents ever receive that call. To create change, reach out to the Peoria Primary Prevention Coalition (3PC), a local group of prevention leaders that provides free presentations to businesses, school staff, parents, and community groups. We create awareness and understanding on multiple topics related to current teen drug trends, vaping, opioids, fentanyl, and more—email stephanie. siete@3PCoalition.org to learn more about booking a free presentation. Submitted by Larry Tracey, Executive Director of Youth4Youth and a member of the Peoria Primary Prevention Coalition.
mother, one son, and an outcome that has become far too common. The opioid crisis is often discussed in numbers—one million lives lost, rising overdose rates, increasing “hot” tests—but it begins much earlier. There is a moment before the phone rings. That moment is where prevention lives—and where we are still falling short. Parents and educators are the first line of defense, often long before addiction ever enters the picture. They are the trusted adults who notice when a child pulls away, disengages, or starts carrying more than they should. These moments are not failures; they are invitations to intervene. But the connection only works when it is supported. Families and schools need shared tools, clear communication, and trauma-informed systems that respond before concern turns into crisis. Without that support, even the most caring adults are left reacting instead of preventing. • This is why prevention cannot wait. We cannot continue responding only after addiction has taken hold. We must invest earlier—in education, protective factors, trauma-informed care, and youth connectedness—before substance use becomes a matter of life and death. • This is why treatment must be accessible, sustained, and realistic. Recovery is rarely linear, and families need support that does not end after a single admission.
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