In today’s substance abuse pandemic, the pandemic within the pandemic, we are experiencing a worsening of was already the worst public social health crisis America has ever seen. The threat to our youth is greater than ever and the chasm between what parents needed to know in the 80’s and the current trends necessary to understand now, the importance of parental education and awareness can’t be overestimated. It is vital! The threats to youth years ago have changed, and the terminology you thought you understood needs new understanding. What are the conversations you need to have? Where does connection fit in with this digital world? Where do we go from here?

Children all raising their hands, one child with hand under chin

My name is Michael DeLeon. I am a recovered addict, ex-offender, former gang member, and a national leader in prevention and recovery, addiction advocacy and criminal justice reform. The past 6 months has been an experience no family was prepared for, but the uncertainty of the next 6 months, and beyond, might be equally unsettling for some. Whether your children are back in school full time, are at home distance learning, or are participating in a hybrid model, the Parent-Child conversations are more important than they have ever been. It is more than having Dinner with your kids 5 nights per week. That’s the “gold standard” from every prevention organization in America. Those meals are important, but it’s the conversations that are vital. But what do you say? What should be discussed. Why has the adolescent suicide rate increased 56% in the past 10 years? Why is adolescent suicide rising faster than every other age demographic? Why is teen drug use surging again? What should I talk to my kids about? These are some of the questions we get on a daily basis from thousands of parents all across America. It’s why we sat down and published the first of it’s kind book, giving Parents a year of conversations that they can have with their middle and high school students on a daily basis. There are more than 365 conversations to choose from. We just ask that you have at least 5 per week, 52 weeks of the year.

The book discusses the biggest threats to families including the “Tri-Fecta Gateway® (Alcohol, Marijuana and Nicotine), Marijuana legalization and commercialization, the e-cigarette and vaping/JUULing trends, and the digital relationship to substance use and abuse.