Category: Blog

BlogDecember 22, 2025

The Connection Between Unaddressed Trauma And Substance Use In Adolescents

Be honest – when you hear the word ”adolescence,” the first things that pop to your mind are hormones, drama, and boundary-pushing. To some extent, that’s true. After all, teens are figuring themselves out, testing limits, stumbling a little. Yet, what looks like typical teen behavior can sometimes be painful. Or rather, trauma that never …

Read More “The Connection Between Unaddressed Trauma And Substance Use In Adolescents”

BlogNovember 19, 2025

Peer Influence Versus Healthy Boundaries In Adolescence

Adolescence can be pretty tough. Anyone who’s been through it – or has also had a chance to witness someone go through it – knows exactly what’s up. The body changes while the social compass spins like a cheap weathervane. Friends become mirrors. Suddenly, everyone’s measuring themselves in reflections. You think you know yourself, then …

Read More “Peer Influence Versus Healthy Boundaries In Adolescence”

BlogSeptember 29, 2025

Identifying Early Warning Signs of Teen Relapse

Relapse in teens means returning to harmful habits after progress in recovery. It often shows up as small but noticeable changes before a complete return to old patterns. Parents and caregivers need to stay alert because missed signs can lead to severe setbacks. Early warning signs of teen relapse often appear in emotional shifts, behavior …

Read More “Identifying Early Warning Signs of Teen Relapse”

BlogAugust 26, 2025August 26, 2025

Understanding Substance Use Triggers in Teen Environments

Teen spaces are always alive. Sneakers hit linoleum, hallways echo with laughter, music leaks from cracked phone speakers, and the ever-present pressure to fit in never loses its ever-presentness. Within this landscape, some patterns point to substance use triggers in teen environments. To see them with clarity, and address them with empathy, we need to …

Read More “Understanding Substance Use Triggers in Teen Environments”

BlogJuly 30, 2025

Biggest Little Basketball Camp

Lynda Vande Sandt, Liberty County The 4th Annual Biggest Little Basketball Camp took place July 7–9, 2025, at CJI Schools, drawing approximately 100 students in grades 1–12. Sponsored by Alliance for Youth and several local businesses, the camp focused on developing basketball skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Founded by CJI graduate Jayla Ramberg, the Hi-Line camp …

Read More “Biggest Little Basketball Camp”

BlogJuly 30, 2025

CADCA Mid Year Takeaways

Lucy Corbett, Ida Sisk, Sylvia Miller, Jody Hanisch, and Coleen Smith attended CADCA mid-year in Nashville. Here are their takeaway from their favorite sessions. About the above graphic: For the activity they provided a bag with construction paper, string, tape and a little car. We were to build a bridge out of the materials that would …

Read More “CADCA Mid Year Takeaways”

BlogJuly 29, 2025

Dinosaur Trail

Gina Lamb, Phillips County Phillips County Prevention collaborated with the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Phillips County Museum to celebrate 20 years on the Montana Dinosaur Trail this summer. The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum, “2 Million Years in the Making, 20 Years on the Trail”, along with the Phillips County Museum hosted Roar & Explore …

Read More “Dinosaur Trail”

BlogJuly 28, 2025

PTSD and Marijuana: Therapy or Risk?

This article is being reprinted with permission from Parent Action Network. Fill out this Survey link if you’re interested in joining PAN and or subscribing to their newsletter. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Marijuana: Therapy or Risk? by Bertha K. Madras, PhD Bertha Madras (the honorable) is a Professor of Psychobiology at Harvard Medical School …

Read More “PTSD and Marijuana: Therapy or Risk?”

BlogJuly 10, 2025

How Early Stress Exposure Can Increase Risk for Teen Substance Use

Teen substance use continues to rise, posing a significant threat to adolescent health. While many factors contribute to this behavior, early stress exposure is one of the most influential. Teens who experience stress at a young age, whether through family issues, abuse, or other hardships, often struggle with emotional regulation. As they navigate their teenage …

Read More “How Early Stress Exposure Can Increase Risk for Teen Substance Use”

BlogMay 29, 2025

Power Hour Resources – Summer Activities

Here are a number of resources for you to explore as you prepare for your summer prevention activities. Please reach out to your TA with any questions regarding use of these resources or others and continue the amazing work you do. Happy Summer! Environmental Scans Prevention First Environmental Scan Toolkit Montana RASS Program Special Event …

Read More “Power Hour Resources – Summer Activities”