Speak Up Silence Doesn’t Protect Our Kids When we hear words like addiction, substance use, or drug problem, it can be tempting to distance ourselves from the conversation. We may think, “That doesn’t happen in our family,” or worry that discussing drugs will reflect poorly on our child or our parenting. That is stigma—and stigma creates silence. Not every teenager uses drugs, and that is important to recognize. However, substances such as nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol are present in our communities, schools, and social circles. Some young people experiment out of curiosity or because of peer pressure. Others turn to substances when they feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure how to cope. The Arizona Youth Survey (AYS) anonymously gathers information from 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students. The data consistently show that substance
use increases as students get older, often beginning with experimentation in middle school. This year, we saw an important shift in why students first use drugs or alcohol. In the past, the top reason was to have fun, get high, or feel good. Now, the leading reason is to cope with school and family stress. These findings are not meant to frighten or shame families. They are meant to help us understand what young people are facing—and remind us why early conversations matter. We cannot prevent every difficult choice, but we can make it easier for our children to come to us when they struggle. Replace judgment with curiosity and lectures with listening. Parents don’t need to know everything about every substance, but we should understand current trends, recognize warning signs, and talk regularly about stress, coping, and substance use. Open conversations don’t encourage use—they help prepare and protect our children. When we reduce stigma, we open the door to honesty, connection and help—and connection can change a young person’s life. Submitted by The Peoria Primary Prevention Coalition
October 2026 13
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