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For mental health, substance use, and suicide-related crisis
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You Can Help
Prevent Substance Use Disorder and Overdoses

Prevention starts with awareness — at home, with your kids, and in your community. Learn how to reduce the risk of overdose, substance use disorder, and harm before it begins.

Join a Prevention Team Meeting
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Need to help a friend? Find Montgomery County’s young adult-focused information at BTheOne.org.

Why Prevention Matters

Early use of opioids and other substances increases the risk of substance use disorder, overdose, and lifelong health challenges. And most people who develop substance use disorders started using in their teens or early twenties.

How to Talk to Your Kids

Most Adults Started Young

About 9 in 10 adults with substance use disorders began using before age 18.

The Lasting Effects

Using substances early increases the risk of mental health issues, substance use disorder, and chronic illness later in life.

Empower Your Loved Ones:
Steps for Prevention and Safety

At Home

Properly store medications, even prescriptions you don’t consider dangerous.

Keep track of medication quantities and who has access to them.

Safely dispose of unused medications — don’t leave them in drawers or flush them.

Find a Safe Disposal Site

With Youth

Start conversations early. Talk openly, not just once, but often.

Be honest and direct. Kids need real facts, not scare tactics.

Know the warning signs. Mood swings, isolation, or changes in behavior could be early signals.

Learn the Warning Signs

In the Community

Support education and prevention programs in schools.

Attend community events, trainings, and outreach programs.

Encourage workplaces or organizations to provide overdose response training and Naloxone.

Get Free Naloxone

Talk to Your Kids

Starting the conversation might feel awkward — but it’s one of the most powerful tools you have. Most young people say they’re more likely to make healthy choices if their parents talk with them openly.

Don’t wait for a crisis. Start the conversation now.
Guide for Talking to Your Kids (PDF, 1MB)Learn the Facts About Common Drugs

Get Naloxone (Narcan) and Be Ready to Respond

Watch the 44-second Naloxone training video to learn how to reverse an opioid overdose. Then, request a free Naloxone (Narcan) kit for your home, office, or community.

Get Naloxone

Keep Exploring Resources

Understand the RisksHow to Reduce HarmFind Local Support ServicesNaloxone Training and Free Kit
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