Have you ever counted how many times you’ve seen drinking depicted as cool, exciting, and a rite of passage in movies, social media, and on television? Imagine being a teen and seeing this. The power that advertising and representation has on us is astounding, and our youth are especially vulnerable because their brains are still developing and they might not be thinking logically about their deci...

This post was written by a senior at CSUCI.

I have a lot of friends, and parents of friends, who have differing opinions regarding their teens and alcohol. Some don’t care at all; they are the kind of parents who don’t have many rules at all for their kids, and although they aren’t directly informed about what their kids are doing, they don’t actually make any kind of effort to find out their whe...

By Julia Lopez

If you really knew me you would know that…

This sentence has stayed with me since I participated in Challenge Day at Oxnard High School. How many people really know me? How many people do I truly let in?

If you really knew me you would know that… I can’t stand avocados or tomatoes.

It may seem like a simple way to start a deeper conversation but food is at the core of my environ...

From the Prevention Action Alliance’s Know! newsletters. View all of their newsletters here.

It’s January; the start of a new year, new habits, and new resolutions. That’s easier said than done for many people, adults and teens alike. All the hustle and bustle can worsen the symptoms of those who already suffer from anxiety and depression. And for others, the holidays can create the perfect storm...

This article was written by a CSUCI student.

There aren’t too many issues that collect the attention of so many as marijuana. This has been a heavily debated topic regarding its legalization for several decades, and appears to have almost no end in sight. Those that advocate for legalization claim that it has various health benefits such as pain relief and relief from traumatic disorders like PTS...

Did you know? Answer these questions about vaping.

Let’s test your knowledge:

1. True or False: It is just water vapor in vapes.
2. True or False: The liquid in vapes does not contain any harmful chemicals.
3. True or False: Vaping helps people quit smoking tobacco.

To take our full Marijuana Vape Quiz, click here. 

What is vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often r...

This post was written by a CSUCI student. 

This topic is probably the most baffling one for me. I grew up in a very strict, traditional household where even talking about alcohol was a sore topic, let alone having my parents actually provide it for me. My parents would have the occasional beer or glass of wine once every few weeks. Their lives did not revolve around drinking, which meant that I w...

We recently had the pleasure of working with students from CSUCI’s Service Learning program. Some of those students conducted surveys about attitudes around marijuana, vaping, and alcohol in both Ventura and Los Angeles. Here are the questions and responses. 

• How do you feel about marijuana? 

• How do you feel about vaping?

• How do you feel about alcohol? 

• (For parents

  ...

This post was written by a senior at CSUCI.

I’d like to say I’ve had a good amount of control in most aspects of my life. I play sports, I have friends and family who love me, I have a job and a car and pets – pretty much everything anyone could ever want. 

The one thing I was lacking (and still struggle with) throughout adolescence is a good sense of self esteem and self-love. I can even rememb...

What are prescription drugs?

Also known as:

Opioids: Happy Pills, Hillbilly Heroin, OC, Oxy, Oxycotton, Percs, and Vikes

Depressants: A-minus, Barbs, Candy, Downers, Phennies, Reds, Red Birds, Seeping Pills, Tooies, Tranks, Yellow Jackets, Yellows, and Zombie Pills

Stimulants: Bennies, Black Beauties, Hearts, Roses, Skippy, The Smart Drug, Speed, and Vitamin R, and Uppers

Prescription drugs a...

Written by a Senior at CSUCI. 

As fun and exciting as the seasonal activities can be, many people experience what is called seasonal depression. This is a real thing, and actually very common, with over 3 million diagnoses per year. Also known as ‘Winter depression’ or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), some symptoms may include, “oversleeping, appetite changes, especially a craving for foods hig...

From pedestrian deaths to drunk driving, tricks and treats and spooky parties, Halloween can be a fun but dangerous time for teens. Here are some tips for both parents and teens for how to have a safe and fun Halloween!

Tips for Parents

1. Behavior – Halloween is a fun night but occasionally teenagers can behave differently at night, and with their friends. Discuss appropriate behavior in regard...