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THE BRITE BLOG

We share the voices, opinions and stories of many Ventura County youth and young adults here. Not all posts reflect the opinion of BRITE or our sponsors. Managed by Ashley Heatherly.

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A group of teens is hanging out outside, smiling and laughing. One of them is holding a camera with two hands and taking a selfie of the group.

A group of teens is hanging out outside, smiling and laughing. One of them is holding a camera with two hands and taking a selfie of the group.

Summer Activities for Teens: Tips for Parents

A discussion of healthy activities teens can do during the summer and ways that parents and caregivers can communicate with them and keep an eye on them when they might be tempted to use substances.

Jun 9, 20225 min read

We see a close-up photograph of an orange bottle of prescription pills. The bottle is laying open across the table with some white pills next to it. The label reads, "Oxycodone."

We see a close-up photograph of an orange bottle of prescription pills. The bottle is laying open across the table with some white pills next to it. The label reads, "Oxycodone."

5 Signs Your Teen Is Using Opioids and 5 Factors That Put Them at Risk

A discussion of signs that your teen is using opioids and risk factors, along with resources for addiction in Ventura County.

Jun 9, 20223 min read

A group of teens are sitting at a table in a library studying. There is a stack of books on the table. One teen is sleeping on the table with his head resting on his folded arm and his eyes closed.

A group of teens are sitting at a table in a library studying. There is a stack of books on the table. One teen is sleeping on the table with his head resting on his folded arm and his eyes closed.

Teens and Drugs: How Cannabis Affects School Performance and Teen Brain Development

A discussion of the negative effects of cannabis use on teens, highlighting the resource Cannabis Factcheck Ventura County.

Jun 9, 20224 min read

A graphic for National Fentanyl Awareness Day in muted colors of blue and teal. The text reads, "What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid."

A graphic for National Fentanyl Awareness Day in muted colors of blue and teal. The text reads, "What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid."

National Fentanyl Awareness Day

A post about National Fentanyl Awareness Day including why fentanyl is so dangerous and resources local to Ventura County.

May 10, 20222 min read

A young person with bloodshot red eyes is looking up as if in a rearview mirror with their mouth open as if they are surprised. We can see police siren lights in the background as if they are being pulled over. The text reads, "WeeDUI is real. You can get a DUI for marijuana. DUI = arrested for marijuana, alcohol, prescription & other drugs."

A young person with bloodshot red eyes is looking up as if in a rearview mirror with their mouth open as if they are surprised. We can see police siren lights in the background as if they are being pulled over. The text reads, "WeeDUI is real. You can get a DUI for marijuana. DUI = arrested for marijuana, alcohol, prescription & other drugs."

Impaired Driving: How Cannabis, Alcohol, and Prescription Drugs Can Affect You

A discussion of impaired driving and the effects of cannabis, alcohol, Rx drugs, and the ways they can affect your ability to drive safely.

Apr 26, 20224 min read

An illustration of a diagram of a brain. Different areas highlighted with a description of what they control, including the cerebellum (physical coordination), the amygdala (emotion), and the prefrontal cortex (judgement).

An illustration of a diagram of a brain. Different areas highlighted with a description of what they control, including the cerebellum (physical coordination), the amygdala (emotion), and the prefrontal cortex (judgement).

Brain Development, Teen Behavior, and Preventing Drug Use

A discussion the developing teen brain, why teens act the way they do, and the negative effects of drugs and alcohol on the teen brain.

Apr 26, 20224 min read

Against a backdrop of rainbow glitter in stripes of red, yellow, green, blue, and purple, white text reads, "I think that being a boy and being fashionable makes me a target for bullying, but people just don't understand that I like to wear all colors of clothes,"

Against a backdrop of rainbow glitter in stripes of red, yellow, green, blue, and purple, white text reads, "I think that being a boy and being fashionable makes me a target for bullying, but people just don't understand that I like to wear all colors of clothes,"

LGBTQIA+ Youth & Bullying

A discussion of bullying and LGBTQIA+ youth, including ways to create a safe environment for them.

Apr 26, 20225 min read

An illustration of people outside doing different stress-relieving activities like meditating, taking a nap, exercising, listening to music, etc.

An illustration of people outside doing different stress-relieving activities like meditating, taking a nap, exercising, listening to music, etc.

You Don’t Need Drugs to Deal with Life

A college student discusses healthy ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression without turning to drugs and alcohol.

Apr 26, 20223 min read

A white arm is reaching into a medicine cabinet and grabbing an orange bottle of prescription pills.

A white arm is reaching into a medicine cabinet and grabbing an orange bottle of prescription pills.

The Truth About Opioids: Information for Teens

Information for teens about opioids, prescription drug abuse, and local resources for addiction and overdose prevention.

Apr 26, 20225 min read

A close up of a white hand with fingernails painted black is outstretched across a beige floor. There are a lot of colored pills in her hand and spilled across the floor.

A close up of a white hand with fingernails painted black is outstretched across a beige floor. There are a lot of colored pills in her hand and spilled across the floor.

The Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse: Resources in Ventura County

A discussion of opioids and prescription drug abuse in Ventura County including resources available for parents and families.

Mar 31, 20224 min read

A young white person is sitting at a table rolling a cannabis joint. There is shredded cannabis flower on the table and she is putting it into a rolling paper.

A young white person is sitting at a table rolling a cannabis joint. There is shredded cannabis flower on the table and she is putting it into a rolling paper.

Cannabis: Facts Parents Need to Know

A discussion of cannabis including the negative effects on the teen brain, body, and future, with resources and tips for parents to communicate with their kids about cannabis use.

Mar 31, 20226 min read

Two people are sitting at a table. One person has a glass fun of beer and is reaching for their car keys on the able. The other person is grabbing the first person's hand to stop them from grabbing their car keys.

Two people are sitting at a table. One person has a glass fun of beer and is reaching for their car keys on the able. The other person is grabbing the first person's hand to stop them from grabbing their car keys.

The Dangers of Impaired Driving

A discussion of the dangers of impaired driving and ways to prevent it.

Mar 31, 20225 min read

A close-up of three people cheering with shot glasses of alcohol at a bar.

A close-up of three people cheering with shot glasses of alcohol at a bar.

The Facts About Underage Drinking

A discussion of the facts, statistics, and risks of underage drinking.

Mar 31, 20224 min read

Four friends are outside on a sunny day possibly on a hike in the mountains. They are all smiling and laughing with their arms wrapped around each other.

Four friends are outside on a sunny day possibly on a hike in the mountains. They are all smiling and laughing with their arms wrapped around each other.

8 Ways To Deal With Depression During The Gloomy Days Of Winter

A discussion of ways to practice self-care and deal with seasonal depression during winter.

Mar 31, 20224 min read

Four young people have their arms stretched out towards each other and are holding hands in the middle of the photo. The background is full of bright colors and gives off a cheerful, supportive vibe.

Four young people have their arms stretched out towards each other and are holding hands in the middle of the photo. The background is full of bright colors and gives off a cheerful, supportive vibe.

We Can All Help to Prevent Suicide

A discussion of the facts, statistics, and risk factors around suicide, including warning signs and local resources.

Mar 29, 20227 min read

An illustration of different activities and hobbies with a headline that reads, "Good reasons to put down your phone." Some examples include more free time, decreased anxiety, personal growth, better sleep, etc.

An illustration of different activities and hobbies with a headline that reads, "Good reasons to put down your phone." Some examples include more free time, decreased anxiety, personal growth, better sleep, etc.

Teens, Technology Use, and Mental Health

A discussion of teens' use of technology and the effects on their mental health, with suggestions for parents.

Mar 29, 20223 min read

A white person is sitting in the driver's seat of a car rolling a cannabis joint.

A white person is sitting in the driver's seat of a car rolling a cannabis joint.

Drug-impaired Driving: How Cannabis Impairs Drivers

A discussion of the effects of cannabis on a person's ability to drive safely including how to plan ahead so you don't drive impaired.

Mar 29, 20223 min read

A young person with rainbow hair and a colorful, rainbow outfit is smiling proudly and waving a big rainbow flag.

A young person with rainbow hair and a colorful, rainbow outfit is smiling proudly and waving a big rainbow flag.

LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Risks and Resources

An overview of LGBTQIA+ mental health risks and resources.

Mar 29, 20226 min read

A close-up of two toy cars, one a police car and the other a red sports car. Behind them is a regular-sized glass of brown liquor.

A close-up of two toy cars, one a police car and the other a red sports car. Behind them is a regular-sized glass of brown liquor.

Impaired Driving: Data and Resources for California

An overview of impaired driving data and resources in California.

Mar 29, 20223 min read

A group of young people are facing the camera and holding out shot glasses full of brown liquor with slices on lime on the rim of their glasses, as if they are offering it to you.

A group of young people are facing the camera and holding out shot glasses full of brown liquor with slices on lime on the rim of their glasses, as if they are offering it to you.

Underage and Binge Drinking: The Local Story

An overview of facts and statistics for underage and binge drinking in Ventura County along with resources for parents.

Mar 29, 20222 min read

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