Travis County Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition

An explosion of products containing THC and similar chemicals—some of them in kid-enticing forms such as candy or gummy bears—is sending children to emergency rooms across the country and has federal and state regulators grappling with how to contain it. Many of these products face little to no restrictions, because … Continue to full story .......

Delta-8 is easily accessible, but it’s never been evaluated for safe use by the FDA.  As other states have moved toward legalizing recreational marijuana, Texas remains a holdout. But is the Lone Star State as careful as it ought to be when it comes to other cannabis products?  Take delta-8, … Continue to full story .......

With some of the most effective antidepressants containing a black box warning, safe and effective treatment for young adults is hard to come by.   We should be counseling adolescents who are starting a new antidepressant on the risks associated with suicidal ideation and self-harm.  Know the warning signs and communicate … Continue to full story .......

Historically, anti-drug messaging in schools has failed to acknowledge the mental health reasons that youth self-medicate. Without that key lesson, advocates worry House Bill 3908 will be another D.A.R.E. campaign. More than 40 years after former First Lady Nancy Reagan launched her famous “Just Say No” advertising campaign, Texas and … Continue to full story .......