Partnership to End Addiction

03/27/2026

Thank you to the Washington Post for running our letter to the editor in response to the editorial “Unraveling the FDA’s shortsighted ban on flavored vapes,” which addressed new draft guidance from the FDA that could open the door to more flavored va**ng products being authorized for sale.

Youth va**ng has decreased in recent years, but, as our director of policy, Robyn Oster, and SVP of prevention research and policy, Linda Richter, wrote, “Expanding youth access to flavored products at a time when prevention is underfunded risks reversing this progress and harming young people without meaningful benefit to adult smokers.”

To prevent this, we encourage you to submit comments to the FDA emphasizing the importance of protecting youth and the risks that flavored products pose.

Find more information on how to do so here: https://drugfree.org/article/oppose-the-authorization-of-flavored-vapes/

And read the full letter here: https://wapo.st/4v6ISLU

03/26/2026

Gambling, including sports betting, and substance use often happen together. When they do, the risk goes up for problems like gambling addiction, substance use disorder, mental health struggles, and trouble in school.

This is especially common for college students.

Swipe to learn more about how these two issues are connected—and how parents can play an important role in helping their child.

03/24/2026

From AI and marketing to body image and ni****ne pouches, youth face more messages and choices than ever. Join experts from Common Sense Media, Partnership to End Addiction, Boston Children’s Hospital, Stanford REACH Lab, and Pediatrician Dr. Lauren Hartman to get practical strategies for guiding conversations, boosting confidence, and helping youth make thoughtful choices. Register now for our upcoming webinars: https://loom.ly/lvBuVdM

03/20/2026

The Partnership's Linda Richter will be speaking on this virtual panel on April 15. Register today: https://bit.ly/4lD9v6y

The science is clear — prevention works.

Upcoming ASDN's Part IV Congressional Briefing brings together leading prevention researchers to unpack exactly how, from understanding the root causes of substance misuse to the programs and policies making a real difference for young people.

📅 Wednesday, April 15th | 2:00–3:30 PM ET

You'll hear from a powerhouse lineup:
🔹 Keynote: Zili Sloboda, ScD — Applied Prevention Science International
🔹 Nathaniel Riggs, PhD — Colorado State University
🔹 Linda Richter, PhD — Partnership to End Addiction
🔹 Phillip W. Graham, DrPH — RTI International & Society for Prevention Research

Moderated by Diana Fishbein, PhD, President of the National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives.

Learn More About the Series: https://bit.ly/3NFklwi
Register Today: https://bit.ly/4lD9v6y

Can't make it live? Register anyway — the recording will come straight to your inbox.

03/19/2026

Gambling addiction in teens is becoming a growing concern for parents and it’s often starting in an unexpected place: video games.

Loot boxes. Random rewards. “Just one more try.” These systems train the brain the same way gambling does — rewarding risk and unpredictability.

Now combine that with today’s nonstop sports betting where you can bet on almost every moment of a game, and the risk grows even more.

Many young adults struggling with gambling report:
• Debt before their mid-20s
• Loss of savings
• Serious stress and anxiety

Understanding how early exposure shapes behavior can prepare parents for conversations and keep their kids safe and healthy.

Read our parent’s guide to gambling and substance use here: https://drugfree.org/article/college-gambling-substance-use-a-parents-guide-to-risks-warning-signs-and-help/

03/18/2026

Help youth make smart choices before first use with our upcoming webinar series. In the first session, experts from Partnership to End Addiction and Boston Children’s Hospital show how to talk about meds at home including cough syrups, Adderall, pain medicine, and depression meds. In the second session, Stanford REACH Lab will share ways to guide youth through ads, social media, and trends like ni****ne pouches. Walk away with tips you can use and the confidence to have these important conversations as a trusted adult. Register now at https://loom.ly/QXRyWHI

03/16/2026

It’s National Poison Prevention Week, and we’re sharing what parents can do to prevent children from being exposed to addictive substances commonly found in homes (like ma*****na, alcohol, and ni****ne) and what to do in case your child ingests a substance.

03/11/2026

The CDC recently released new data on overdose deaths in 2024. Estimates show that approximately 79,000 people died of drug overdoses in 2024, declining by over 26% from 2023 – the largest one year drop ever recorded.

Continued access to naloxone and treatment, shifts in the drug supply, and increased prevention all contribute to this decline. While this drop in overdose deaths provides hope, we know there is still work to do to sustain that progress.

03/10/2026

We are happy to announce Partnership to End Addiction as an exhibitor for our upcoming 2026 Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery!

They’re equipping families with resources, guiding professionals and communities, and driving systemic change to prevent addiction, promote early intervention, and support recovery. Visit drugfree.org to learn more.

See more about the conference here: https://buff.ly/49usgmt

03/09/2026

03/06/2026

Today is Black Balloon Day - a day to pause, remember, and honor the lives lost to overdose. Every black balloon represents someone who was loved: a parent, a child, a friend, a neighbor.

We remember with love and speak their names. If you or someone you know needs support, we're here for you: drugfree.org/getsupport

Artwork by the Partnership's very own Thomas Ulmer.

03/05/2026

Join Operation Parent’s free, monthly webinars featuring child psychologists and prevention experts. Topics include teen anxiety, va**ng, social media, trauma-informed parenting, and more—designed to empower K‑12 caregivers and spark meaningful conversations.