The Coalition

09/04/2026

DYK? Drinking alcohol raises your risk of getting several kinds of cancer, including stomach and pancreatic cancers. The bottom line? Drinking less alcohol is better for your health than drinking more.
Read more about the correlation between cancer and alcohol: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/alcohol/index.htm

09/03/2026

Here's a prevention strategy that works: Give your teen a get-out-of-jail-free card. Make a deal: "Text me 'X' anytime, anywhere, and I'll come get you - no questions asked."

Some families use code words. Others have a fake emergency they can claim. The point? Remove the barrier of being stuck.

Discuss exit strategies before they need them:

♦️ How to leave a party that feels unsafe
♦️ What to say when someone's driving impaired
♦️ When to call you vs. calling a rideshare
♦️ How to help a friend who's in trouble

Make it clear: You'd rather they call you from a bad situation than make an unsafe choice to avoid disappointing you. Your teen needs to know that staying safe is always more important than getting in trouble.

Download your Prevention Playbook at https://www.angelinacoalition.org/resources

09/03/2026

Recovery happens together. Research shows meaningful human connection supports resilience, hope, and long-term recovery. Every connection can make a difference.

09/02/2026

We asked our Coalition staff...👀💙

TikTok | Make Your Day

08/31/2026

Our Drug-Free All Stars are Tuned In, Teamed Up, and Totally Drug-Free! 📺✨

TikTok | Make Your Day

08/31/2026

When your teen faces peer pressure, they have about 3 seconds to respond. In that moment, will they freeze or will they have practiced responses ready?

This is where parents become coaches. Practice refusal scenarios together:
👉 "Everyone's va**ng in the bathroom - what do you say?"
👉 "Someone offers you a drink at a party - what's your out?"
👉 "Your friends are pressuring you to try something - how do you leave?"

Give them "easy outs":
✋ "I can't - my parents drug test me"
✋ "Nah, I have a game tomorrow"
✋ "My ride is leaving, I gotta go"
✋ "Not my thing, but thanks"

Make it feel less awkward by practicing in the car, during dinner, whenever. The more they rehearse, the more natural it becomes.

You wouldn't send them into a game without practice. Don't send them into social situations without it either. Download your Prevention Playbook at https://www.angelinacoalition.org/resources

08/29/2026

Whether you’re looking for support for yourself or a loved one, knowing where to turn is important. Spend five minutes with our Turn To Check-In tool to answer a few simple questions and receive Texas resources for yourself or a loved one. Check it out at
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/prevention/turn-to

08/27/2026

While defensive plays protect, offensive plays PREVENT.

You're not just blocking substances - you're building a life so engaging they don't need them.

Offensive prevention strategies:
👉 ENCOURAGE structured activities (sports, arts, clubs, volunteering)
👉 SUPPORT their genuine interests and hobbies
👉 CREATE regular family time that they actually enjoy
👉 CELEBRATE their achievements (effort, not just outcomes)
👉 BUILD their sense of purpose and belonging

When teens feel connected, competent, and purposeful, substance use becomes less appealing. They're too busy building something meaningful. This isn't about overscheduling them. It's about helping them find what lights them up and supporting that spark. A teen who feels like they belong somewhere good doesn't need to find belonging somewhere risky.

Download your Prevention Playbook at https://www.angelinacoalition.org/resources

08/26/2026

Quitting va**ng can be tough. Did you go back to va**ngrecently? This is just a minor setback for your major comeback. Text in KEYWORD to 88709 to learn some strategies for how to quit.

08/24/2026

Prevention starts at home - literally.

These defensive plays create barriers between your teen and substances:
✅ SECURE medications and alcohol - lock it up, count it, dispose of expired ones
✅ KNOW their whereabouts - not helicopter parenting, smart parenting
✅ CREATE substance-free social opportunities at your home
✅ MONITOR social media appropriately - you're the parent, not their friend
✅ USE parental controls on devices - technology is your ally

Is this foolproof? No. But it removes easy access and shows you're paying attention.

Think of it like keeping cookies on the top shelf. You're not guaranteeing they won't get them - you're making sure they have to think about it first. That pause matters.

Your home should be the safest space they have. Download your Prevention Playbook at https://www.angelinacoalition.org/resources