The resources on this page aim to equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge they need to help their children stave off substance use during the teen years. Evidence shows that protective factors like connecting authentically with your children, family time, and talking early and often can help youth make positive choices when faced with drugs and alcohol. The Families Connected and national resources curated on this page provide insight and support to help us guide our children on a healthy path to maturity. For instructions to view this website in Spanish, click on en Español.
Families Connected Resources
Videos: SBFC drug and alcohol prevention events
In this five-minute clip, former Dodger Erik Karros asks his daughter, Mikah Maly-Karros, why she drank in high school. To view the full Families Connected Speaker Series presentation, click HERE.
View a five-minute summary compilation of six SBFC prevention events featuring Mathew Torrington, M.D., Moe Gelbart, Ph.D., Greg Allen, Ph.D., and Joan Stein Jenkins, Esq.
View the full presentation of the Families Connected Speaker Series event, Recognizing and Responding to Teen Stressors and Pressures, which includes insight from experts, a parent and a student.
SBFC expert, parent and youth blogs
Prevention advice from experts
A Word to Parents on Teen Alcohol and Drug Use by Joan Stein Jenkins, Manhattan Beach City Prosecutor
Picking Your Battles: The A-B-C Method by Dr. Moe Gelbart
The youth perspective - blogs from teens and young adults
Quitting the Vape: How I Did It, by a South Bay teen
Binge Drinking and Where I Landed-- a teen's story by a South Bay teen
I "#PassOnIt" Because of My Best Friend by a South Bay teen
#PassOnIt: Why I Wish I Had Passed On It in High School by a Manhattan Beach teen
Why I #PassOnIt: The Effects of Alcohol and Marijuana on a Teenager's Brain and Future by a South Bay teen
Vaping: J.L.'s Top Five Reasons to Say, "I'll Pass” by a South Bay teen
Five Things I Learned from the Families Connected Website and Why I #PassOnIt When it Comes to Drugs and Alcohol by Merlene Heyning
Vaping: M.L.G.'s Top 5 Reasons to Say, “I #PassOnIt” by a South Bay High School Graduate
Reducing stigma - shared stories from parents
5 Things We Did (By Accident) To Save Our Son’s Life by a South Bay mom
Struggling to Survive - The Fight of and for My Daughter's Life by Naya Elle James
Grateful for My Happy, Sober Life by Marie Puterbaugh
ADD and My Kid: After the Diagnosis—Concerns About Self-medicating by Laurie James
My Brother's Struggle with Opioid Addiction...My Struggle with Parenting by Franca Stadvec
OMG, We Just Sent Our Baby Boy To The Wilderness!! by a South Bay Dad
The Strand Family Shares Their Story, part 1 of 3 by Cynthia Strand
Thoughts from an Addict’s Little Sister by Breanna Strand
Our Binge Drinker by a South Bay mom
Prevention tip sheets - click on the images to enlarge
Did you know that teens who consistently learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health). By talking early and often, you can made a difference.
ALERT: Fentanyl - one pill can kill
Related resources for parents and guardians
Resources for teens
Curated Gallery of Resources
Clicking on the logos, images, and links below will take you out of the Families Connected website and to the online resource indicated. Families Connected is not affiliated with these organizations, nor have these organizations paid to have their resources shared here. Please note that, unlike the Families Connected website, some of the websites/articles included here may display pop-up ads. Please read the terms of use agreement on this and all websites visited. Families Connected will remain open in your browser.
Prevention: talk early, talk often - they hear you
Natural High is a drug prevention nonprofit that inspires and empowers youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live life well. They offer substance use prevention parenting resources and lesson plans that utilize powerful social influencers to tell meaningful stories in a way that makes a difference in kids’ lives.
SAMHSA’s substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. SAMHSA offers parent resources and a downloadable, comprehensive family guide to help start the conversation about the dangers of drinking alcohol and using other drugs at a young age. We also recommend their free mobile app.
Current research tells us that families and communities hold the key to substance abuse prevention. We know that families matter, and that families that talk early and often about drugs and alcohol have better outcomes and can reduce the likelihood that their kids will engage in risky behaviors. Partnership to End Addiction. We recommend How to Talk with your Teen, Brain Development and Behavior and their downloadable Marijuana Talk Kit.
Increase your knowledge about illicit drugs and substances
The CDC’s Health Affects of Marijuana shows how marijuana use can affect your physical and mental health.
Partnership to End Addiction also provides a comprehensive searchable Drug Guide (image shown here) also available as a free app, as well as insight in their article “When Addiction is in Your Family Tree” .
The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides Drug Facts for Parents and Caregivers, as well as Alcohol Facts
The teen brain and why illicit substance use prevention is critical
Today's research tells us this: if we want our youth to reach their full potential and avoid alcohol and drug-related harm, the longer we can stave off alcohol and drug use the better. Note: this information does not apply to medically prescribed prescriptions for mental health issues.
Listen to the latest research on how marijuana and alcohol cause permanent damage to the developing teen brain, lowering test scores (NPR)
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction (NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse -- NIDA)
Check out this exceptional, interactive explanation of the teen brain (PBS, Frontline)
Recommended articles
Why Adolescence Matters in Preventing Substance Abuse (KQED)
Teaching Your Teen About Binge Drinking (Child Mind Institute)
CBD: What Parents Need to Know (Child Mind Institute)
Reach out for help when you need it
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Substance Abuse Service Helpline (SASH): call 1-844-804-7500
SASH can help find out about free treatment available with Medi-Cal, My Health LA, and other county-funded programs.. The helpline is toll-free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Translation services are available.
U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration -SAMHSA : Call 800-662-4357
This is a toll-free, confidential 24/7 hotline (English & Spanish) for individuals and family members facing substance abuse and mental health issues.
DrugFree.org: 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373)
This a toll-free hotline/support service for parents/other primary caregivers of children who want to talk about their child’s drug use and drinking.
For More Youth Wellness Resources, visit:
For South Bay parents and caregivers
Go to South Bay Families Connected’s landing page to view a local events, the Teen Resource Center, to sign-up for the SBFC monthly parent e-newsletter, and more.
For parents and caregivers in the U.S.A.
Visit the Families Connected landing page for non-region-specific, free youth wellness online resources.