Circleville, OH— Over 80 percent of young people ages 10 to 18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision about whether or not to drink alcohol. Yet many parents do not have these important conversations. As part of our commitment to supporting local youth, Pickaway Addiction Action Coalition is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign.
Working together, parents and caregivers will now have access to campaign materials and support aimed at equipping them with information, skills, and confidence to talk with youths about the risks of underage drinking and substance use.
According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, alcohol continues to be the most widely misused substance among our nation’s young people. However, in recent years, other drugs, such as marijuana and prescription pain medication, have become increasingly prevalent among youths. Circleville is no different.
“In 2024, our community conducted a survey of 7th, 9th, and 11th-grade students using the Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) student survey,” said Amy Rhymer, Program Director, Pickaway Addiction Action Coalition. “Our goal is to reduce past 30-day alcohol use among Pickaway County students from 12.3% in 2024 to 11% by June 30, 2026. Additionally, we aim to decrease 30-day nicotine vaping usage from 9.4% in 2024 to 8.4% within the same timeframe.”
The “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign will support PAAC’s efforts to address these statistics by strengthening local initiatives aimed at educating residents about the risks and consequences of substance misuse. The resources and materials provided through the campaign will further empower parents and caregivers to have meaningful conversations with their children about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.
SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign is a national media campaign with a host of useful resources for parents, including fact sheets, brochures, infographics, and public service announcements.
Historically, the campaign has equipped parents with the knowledge and skills to increase actions that reduce and prevent underage drinking. Recently, it has expanded its messaging to include other substances, such as marijuana and prescription drugs. The campaign now offers resources to assist parents in talking with young children about those other drugs.
For more information about “Talk. They Hear You.” and how parents and caregivers can help prevent underage drinking and other drug use, visit Talk. They Hear You. campaign page.
