BLADE Brainerd Lakes Area Drug Education

06/06/2026

Breaking The Surface | Recovery Summit 2026 GET YOUR TICKETS & CEU’s

05/26/2026

🌅 Your Freedom. Your Future.

Graduates, you've earned this moment — and a whole world of possibility is waiting for you. New adventures, new friendships, new chapters. The road ahead is wide open.

As you step into this exciting new freedom, remember: the choices you make right now matter more than you know. Substance-free living keeps your mind sharp, your goals within reach, and every door wide open.

You've worked too hard and come too far to let anything slow you down now.

🟢 Stay sharp. Reach higher. Lean on each other.
💙 We believe in you, Crow Wing County Class of 2026.
Crow Wing County, MN Government, MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance, Know The Truth, Brainerd Public Schools, Pequot Lakes High School, Crosby-Ironton School District

05/19/2026

⚠️ What You Need to Know About Ni****ne Pouches

You've probably seen them — small, discreet pouches tucked under the lip with brand names like Zyn, On!, and Velo. They're marketed as a "smokeless" and "tobacco-free" alternative, but don't let the packaging fool you. These little pouches pack a serious punch. 🚨

So what's actually in them?
Ni****ne pouches can contain anywhere from **3mg to 17mg of ni****ne per pouch** — some products delivering even more depending on the brand and strength level. To put that in perspective, a single cigarette contains roughly 10-15mg of ni****ne. These pouches are not a safe alternative — they are simply a different delivery method for a highly addictive substance.

Why are they dangerous?
🔴 Highly addictive — ni****ne is one of the most addictive substances known
🔴 Popular with teens and young adults due to discreet size and flavored varieties
🔴 Can cause gum irritation, mouth sores, and damage to oral tissue
🔴 May lead to increased blood pressure and heart rate
🔴 Easy to hide — making it harder for parents to recognize use
🔴 Can serve as a gateway to other ni****ne or substance use

The recovery connection 💙
For those in recovery, ni****ne pouches can be especially risky. Ni****ne activates the same reward pathways in the brain as other addictive substances, and cross-addiction is real. What feels like a "harmless habit" can quickly become a dependency that undermines your recovery journey.

Talk to your kids. Talk to your loved ones. Share this post.
Awareness is the first step toward protection. If you or someone you know is struggling with ni****ne dependency or substance use, help is available. You are not alone. 💛

👇 Drop a comment or send us a message — we are here for this community every step of the way. Crow Wing County, MN Government Know The Truth MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance

05/19/2026

💜 Real Talk for Real Friends.

Hey Crow Wing County Grads — now that life looks a little different, we want to speak straight with you.

Freedom is a superpower. And like any superpower, it works best when you are fully in control of yourself.

A few reminders as you navigate this new chapter:

✅ It's OK to say no. Real friends respect your choice. Anyone who doesn't — isn't a real friend.
👀 Watch out for each other. If something feels off, trust that feeling and say something.
🌟 Your reputation follows you. Build a story you're proud of — every single day.
❤️ If you need help — ask. Reaching out is one of the bravest things you can do.

You're carrying that BLADE "Stronger Together" keychain for a reason. Carry it — and carry each other.

Crow Wing County is proud of you. You've got this. We've got you. 💜 Crow Wing County, MN Government, MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance Know The Truth Brainerd Public Schools, Crosby-Ironton School District, Pequot Lakes High School

05/12/2026

🎓 CONGRATULATIONS, Crow Wing County Class of 2026!

Today marks the beginning of your greatest adventure. Your hard work, determination, and resilience brought you here — and those same qualities will carry you to places beyond your wildest dreams.

As a token of our appreciation for your incredible achievements, we are gifting each graduate a BLADE "Stronger Together" keychain. Carry it as a reminder that you are never alone on this journey.

🟢 Please make graduation night a SAFE and SOBER celebration. Your future is too bright to risk. No alcohol. No drugs. No distracted driving. Look out for one another — because being Stronger Together means keeping every single one of you safe to live your dreams.

We are SO proud of you! Wishing you success, adventure, and a lifetime of joy. 🌟Crow Wing County, MN Government, MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance, Brainerd Public Schools, Crosby-Ironton School District, Know The Truth, Pequot Lakes High School

05/02/2026

We are excited to be a part of Arbor Day, sharing how our coalition partners with Crow Wing County, MN Government Public Schools; Brainerd Public Schools, Pequot Lakes Middle Schooland Pequot Lakes High School by providing them with our safe disposal boxes for confiscated vapes!

We partner with our county landfill to dispose the vapes properly so we can protect our environment.

MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance Know The Truth

05/01/2026

🌳✨ **Happy Arbor Day, Northern Minnesota!** ✨🌳

Tomorrow is the day — come celebrate with us at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd, MN for a fun-filled Arbor Day you won't want to miss!

☀️ Sunny skies & a beautiful 60 degrees — the perfect day to get outside!

Here's what's in store:
🚴 Biking
🔍 Scavenger Hunt
📖 Author Readings
🎟️ Membership Opportunities & Giveaways

And we'll be out there too! Stop by the BLADE Coalition booth to learn about the very real dangers that va**ng poses — to YOU and to our environment. 🌿💚

This is a FREE, family-friendly celebration of nature, community, and all things green. Whether you're 5 or 95, there's something for everyone tomorrow!

📍 Northland Arboretum | Brainerd, MN
🗓️ Tomorrow — Saturday, May 2nd, 2026

Tag a friend who needs a reason to get outside this weekend 👇 and help us spread the word by SHARING this post!

See you out there! 🌱Crow Wing County, MN Government Know The Truth MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance

04/25/2026

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day co-hosted with Brainerd Police Department was a success and we look forward to sharing with you how many pounds that we collected.

We put this event on bi-annually to create awareness and provide awareness of the dangers of leaving unused and expired medication in your homes and/or disposing it improperly.

Thank you to all our volunteers that came out to make this event possible!! Crow Wing County, MN Government Crow Wing Energized MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance Restore Recovery Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office

04/25/2026

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Free Narcan when you show up to dispose of your unused and expired medication’s today at super one in Northeast Brainerd come out and support our mission!

Crow Wing County, MN Government
Brainerd Police Department
MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance
Know The Truth

11/20/2025

Thank you Know The Truth and MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance for supporting our students!!!

Today is a big win for our up-north partners BLADE Brainerd Lakes Area Drug Education and Crow Wing County, MN Government as we collaborate and bring to the 9th grades of Crosby-Ironton School District our evidence-based curriculum along with volunteers with lived experience with substance use disorder and a personal recovery journey!