Parents and caregivers have tremendous influence when it comes to helping young people make healthy decisions about alcohol, nicotine and other substances. But prevention today requires more than one serious conversation about “drugs.”<\/p>\n
The products young people encounter continue to change. Vapes can be small and easy to conceal. Nicotine is available in forms that may not look like traditional tobacco products. Illicit fentanyl has dramatically changed the risks associated with the illegal drug supply. And mental health, stress and substance use can intersect in ways families may not immediately recognize.<\/p>\n
That is why prevention works best as an ongoing conversation.<\/p>\n
At Hope Council, we believe young people deserve honest, age-appropriate information that respects their intelligence. Parents deserve the same thing: practical information, current resources and somewhere local to turn when they have questions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
What the Data Tells Us in Kenosha County<\/h4><\/div>Substance use and mental health are not distant issues. They are concerns Kenosha County residents themselves continue to identify as priorities.<\/p>\n
In the 2025 Kenosha County Community Health Assessment<\/a>, 836 community members participated. Among respondents, 35.7% identified mental health as one of the county’s largest health concerns and 33.1% identified substance use. Those were two of the three most frequently identified concerns.<\/p>\nFor parents, youth nicotine use also deserves attention. Vapes, e-cigarettes and newer nicotine products can be easy to conceal and may look very different from traditional tobacco products.<\/p>\n
Hope Council provides Youth & Teen substance use resources<\/a> specifically to help parents and caregivers understand current risks, recognize warning signs and keep conversations going.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Start Talking Earlier Than You Think<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Sappm](\"https:\/\/www.hopecouncil.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sappm-2026-week-3-graphic-3-no-logo.webp\" "\\"Sappm")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>You do not have to wait until high school or until you suspect substance use to begin talking about it.<\/p>\n
Prevention can begin with simple conversations about medication safety, healthy coping skills and making decisions that protect your health. As children grow, those conversations can evolve to include alcohol, cannabis, vaping, nicotine and other substances.<\/p>\n
Hope Council recommends beginning these conversations earlier than may feel necessary because attitudes and behaviors can begin developing well before high school.<\/p>\n
Explore Hope Council’s Youth & Teens resources<\/a> for age-appropriate information and guidance.<\/p>\nThe goal is not to have one perfect conversation. It is to create a relationship in which your child knows they can come to you with questions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Small Talks Can Make a Big Difference<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>Parents and caregivers do not need to wait for a crisis, a concerning behavior or one big, serious conversation to talk with kids about substance use. In fact, some of the most effective conversations can happen in small moments along the way.<\/p>\n
El Wisconsin Department of Health Services\u2019 Small Talks<\/strong><\/a> initiative gives parents and other caring adults practical tools for starting short, age-appropriate conversations about alcohol, cannabis, vaping and tobacco, prescription medications and other drugs.<\/p>\nDHS recommends beginning these conversations around age 8 and continuing them as children grow. Rather than trying to cover everything at once, Small Talks encourages parents to use everyday opportunities to talk, listen, answer questions and make family expectations clear.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
The Small Talks resource includes:<\/h5><\/div>- <\/i><\/span>Conversation starters and talking tips for different ages<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Guidance for answering difficult questions about substance use<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Strategies for helping kids navigate peer pressure and say no<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Information about youth substance use and its risks<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Videos and experiences from Wisconsin parents and other caring adults<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Tips for being a positive role model<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>Actions families can take beyond talking, including setting boundaries, knowing your child\u2019s friends, supporting mental health and safely storing medications<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
You do not need to have all the answers to make a difference. Start small, keep listening and make these conversations an ongoing part of your relationship.<\/h5><\/div>Explore Small Talks resources for Wisconsin parents and caregivers<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Mental Health Is Part of Prevention<\/h3><\/div>Mental health and substance use can intersect.<\/p>\n
Stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, social pressure and other challenges can affect how young people cope. Helping youth develop healthy coping strategies and making it normal to ask for help is an important part of prevention.<\/p>\n
Hope Council offers Primeros auxilios en salud mental<\/a>, which helps educators, employers, professionals and community members identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance use challenges.<\/p>\nLearn more about Hope Council’s Prevention & Advocacy programs<\/a>.<\/p>\nIf someone is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988. For local 24\/7 crisis support, call 262-657-7188.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Vaping and Nicotine Still Deserve Parents’ Attention<\/h3><\/div>Today’s nicotine products do not necessarily resemble cigarettes.<\/p>\n
Vapes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and other products have changed the landscape, and some can be surprisingly easy to conceal.<\/p>\n
For parents, one important distinction is understanding that repeated nicotine use can become dependence, not simply defiance or bad behavior.<\/p>\n
If you suspect your child is vaping, start with a conversation. Ask questions. Listen. Learn what your child knows about the products they are seeing. If they are already using nicotine regularly, the conversation can shift toward helping them quit.<\/p>\n
Hope Council provides Vaping & Nicotine resources for parents<\/a> and schools and works with Kenosha Unified School District, Kenosha County Public Health, the KRW Tobacco-Free Coalition and other community partners on youth vaping prevention, intervention and cessation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Every Family Should Know About Fentanyl and Naloxone<\/h3><\/div>Fentanyl has made overdose prevention knowledge important even for families who do not believe substance use is happening in their homes.<\/p>\n
This is very much a local concern.<\/p>\n
According to the Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office<\/a>, 34 overdose deaths occurred in Kenosha County in 2024. Twelve involved fentanyl and\/or a fentanyl analog. Kenosha County also reports that local law enforcement has seized counterfeit pills that tested positive for fentanyl.<\/p>\nThis is why parents should reinforce an important message with young people: A pill that does not come from a licensed pharmacy may not contain what someone thinks it contains.<\/p>\n
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Knowing how to recognize an overdose and how to administer naloxone can save a life.<\/p>\n
Visit Hope Council’s Overdose Prevention resources<\/a> for information about recognizing an opioid overdose, naloxone and local resources.<\/p>\nIf you suspect an overdose, call 911, give naloxone if available and stay with the person until help arrives.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
What If You’re Already Worried About Your Child?<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>Sometimes parents are looking for prevention information because something has already changed.<\/p>\n
Maybe you have noticed a change in friends, behavior, school performance or mood. Maybe you found a vape. Maybe your teen told you they are using something. Or maybe you simply have a feeling that something isn’t right.<\/p>\n
You do not have to diagnose the problem yourself.<\/p>\n
Start with a calm conversation.<\/p>\n
Substance use and mental health are not distant issues. They are concerns Kenosha County residents themselves continue to identify as priorities.<\/p>\n
In the 2025 Kenosha County Community Health Assessment<\/a>, 836 community members participated. Among respondents, 35.7% identified mental health as one of the county’s largest health concerns and 33.1% identified substance use. Those were two of the three most frequently identified concerns.<\/p>\n For parents, youth nicotine use also deserves attention. Vapes, e-cigarettes and newer nicotine products can be easy to conceal and may look very different from traditional tobacco products.<\/p>\n Hope Council provides Youth & Teen substance use resources<\/a> specifically to help parents and caregivers understand current risks, recognize warning signs and keep conversations going.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> You do not have to wait until high school or until you suspect substance use to begin talking about it.<\/p>\n Prevention can begin with simple conversations about medication safety, healthy coping skills and making decisions that protect your health. As children grow, those conversations can evolve to include alcohol, cannabis, vaping, nicotine and other substances.<\/p>\n Hope Council recommends beginning these conversations earlier than may feel necessary because attitudes and behaviors can begin developing well before high school.<\/p>\n Explore Hope Council’s Youth & Teens resources<\/a> for age-appropriate information and guidance.<\/p>\n The goal is not to have one perfect conversation. It is to create a relationship in which your child knows they can come to you with questions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Parents and caregivers do not need to wait for a crisis, a concerning behavior or one big, serious conversation to talk with kids about substance use. In fact, some of the most effective conversations can happen in small moments along the way.<\/p>\n El Wisconsin Department of Health Services\u2019 Small Talks<\/strong><\/a> initiative gives parents and other caring adults practical tools for starting short, age-appropriate conversations about alcohol, cannabis, vaping and tobacco, prescription medications and other drugs.<\/p>\n DHS recommends beginning these conversations around age 8 and continuing them as children grow. Rather than trying to cover everything at once, Small Talks encourages parents to use everyday opportunities to talk, listen, answer questions and make family expectations clear.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Mental health and substance use can intersect.<\/p>\n Stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, social pressure and other challenges can affect how young people cope. Helping youth develop healthy coping strategies and making it normal to ask for help is an important part of prevention.<\/p>\n Hope Council offers Primeros auxilios en salud mental<\/a>, which helps educators, employers, professionals and community members identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance use challenges.<\/p>\n Learn more about Hope Council’s Prevention & Advocacy programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n If someone is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988. For local 24\/7 crisis support, call 262-657-7188.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Today’s nicotine products do not necessarily resemble cigarettes.<\/p>\n Vapes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and other products have changed the landscape, and some can be surprisingly easy to conceal.<\/p>\n For parents, one important distinction is understanding that repeated nicotine use can become dependence, not simply defiance or bad behavior.<\/p>\n If you suspect your child is vaping, start with a conversation. Ask questions. Listen. Learn what your child knows about the products they are seeing. If they are already using nicotine regularly, the conversation can shift toward helping them quit.<\/p>\n Hope Council provides Vaping & Nicotine resources for parents<\/a> and schools and works with Kenosha Unified School District, Kenosha County Public Health, the KRW Tobacco-Free Coalition and other community partners on youth vaping prevention, intervention and cessation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Fentanyl has made overdose prevention knowledge important even for families who do not believe substance use is happening in their homes.<\/p>\n This is very much a local concern.<\/p>\n According to the Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office<\/a>, 34 overdose deaths occurred in Kenosha County in 2024. Twelve involved fentanyl and\/or a fentanyl analog. Kenosha County also reports that local law enforcement has seized counterfeit pills that tested positive for fentanyl.<\/p>\n This is why parents should reinforce an important message with young people: A pill that does not come from a licensed pharmacy may not contain what someone thinks it contains.<\/p>\n Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Knowing how to recognize an overdose and how to administer naloxone can save a life.<\/p>\n Visit Hope Council’s Overdose Prevention resources<\/a> for information about recognizing an opioid overdose, naloxone and local resources.<\/p>\n If you suspect an overdose, call 911, give naloxone if available and stay with the person until help arrives.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Sometimes parents are looking for prevention information because something has already changed.<\/p>\n Maybe you have noticed a change in friends, behavior, school performance or mood. Maybe you found a vape. Maybe your teen told you they are using something. Or maybe you simply have a feeling that something isn’t right.<\/p>\n You do not have to diagnose the problem yourself.<\/p>\n Start with a calm conversation.<\/p>\nStart Talking Earlier Than You Think<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Small Talks Can Make a Big Difference<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The Small Talks resource includes:<\/h5><\/div>
You do not need to have all the answers to make a difference. Start small, keep listening and make these conversations an ongoing part of your relationship.<\/h5><\/div>
Mental Health Is Part of Prevention<\/h3><\/div>
Vaping and Nicotine Still Deserve Parents’ Attention<\/h3><\/div>
Every Family Should Know About Fentanyl and Naloxone<\/h3><\/div>
What If You’re Already Worried About Your Child?<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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