May 9th was National Fentanyl Awareness Day. When past SMA guest, Brenda Zane, reached out to ask if we could have a conversation to raise awareness around this day, I knew I had to say yes. Talking about drugs, especially fentanyl, is scary and uncomfortable for sure. But if this conversation can help one family or save one child it’s well worth it.  

Brenda Zane is a family advocate, certified parent coach & facilitator with The Partnership to End Addiction, host of the podcast Hopestream, and founder of a nonprofit organization, Hopestream Community. She’s passionate about serving parents of kids who struggle with substance misuse and mental health. Brenda's oldest son struggled with an addiction to a high-risk lifestyle and illicit drugs for over 5 years. After nearly losing him to multiple fentanyl overdoses, Brenda left her marketing career to serve other families dealing with the fear, confusion, and feelings of helplessness of having a child who's misusing drugs or alcohol.

Listen in to hear Brenda share: 

• How her teen son overdosing on fentanyl twice in 3 days in 2017 informed her work today
• The 3 things you need to know about fentanyl as a parent
• Myths and truths about fentanyl and its various forms
• Where kids are quickly and easily getting pills online
• How to talk to your kids about fentanyl and what age to start the conversation
• How to keep open communication with your kids about drugs over the years
• The connection between neurodiversities and addiction
• What to do if you’re worried your child might be experimenting with drugs

Links mentioned:

• Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth:  www.PrideandJoyParents.com
• Connect with Brenda and her community: www.hopestreamcommunity.org
• Podcast: Hopestream
• Brenda on SMA Episode 454: Parenting Your Teen Through Addiction
• Book: Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change

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