Prevention Academy

Student voices are at the center of everything we do 🩵

Reading students’ reflections and hearing how these conversations connect to their real lives is incredibly meaningful to our team. We are grateful for every student who participates, shares their perspective, and stays engaged in these discussions. Honest conversations, curiosity, and connection help create healthier and more supportive school communities for everyone.

For today’s Prevention Week myth, we’re talking about a common misunderstanding surrounding addiction and personal control.

Myth: “I won’t get addicted because I have strong willpower.”

A lot of people grow up hearing addiction framed as a personal weakness or a lack of self-control. But substance use and addiction are much more complex than that. Risk can be influenced by biology, mental health, stress, environment, frequency of use, and the properties of the substance itself. Many people who develop dependence never expected it to happen to them. Prevention means understanding that addiction is not simply about being “strong enough,” and replacing judgment with accurate information and awareness.

For today’s Prevention Week myth, we’re talking about one of the biggest misconceptions young people hear around substance use.

Myth: “Most young people are using already.”

A lot of this belief comes from social visibility. People tend to notice and remember the behaviors that are loudest online, in social settings, or within certain groups. The students engaging in unhealthy behaviors are often more vocal about it, which can create the impression that “everyone is doing it,” even when that is not the reality. Many people overestimate how common adolescent substance use actually is, and those false perceptions can create unnecessary pressure or make risky behavior feel more normal than it really is. Prevention also means recognizing healthy norms that often go unnoticed. A lot more young people are making safe, healthy choices than people assume.

For Day 5 of Prevention Week, we’re continuing to challenge common assumptions around substance use with honest, research-based information.

Myth: “You can always tell if a substance is laced or too strong.”

There’s a common belief that you can identify risk based on appearance, smell, taste, or past experience. In reality, many substances cannot be reliably identified that way. Potency and contamination can be unpredictable, and people often do not realize something is too strong or altered until effects are already happening. Assumptions of safety are not always reliable, especially when substances can vary so widely from one situation to another. Prevention starts with understanding that risk is not always visible.

For Day 4 of Prevention Week, we’re continuing the conversation by challenging common misconceptions about substance use and sharing information grounded in research, not assumptions.

Myth: “Ni****ne isn’t that risky, especially in smokeless versions.”

Vapes, ni****ne pouches, and other smokeless products are often seen as safer or less serious because there’s no smoke involved. But ni****ne is still highly addictive regardless of how it’s used. Ni****ne harms the circulatory system, attention, and mood, with especially strong impacts on the developing brain. Because products like vapes and pouches are easy to use frequently and discreetly, people often underestimate use, and dependence can form very quickly. Prevention starts with understanding the full picture, not just what gets normalized online or socially.

For Prevention Week, we’re continuing to challenge common myths about substance use and replace them with honest, research-based conversations that matter for young people.

Myth: “Cannabis is harmless because it’s natural and nonaddictive.”

Because cannabis comes from a plant, it’s often assumed to be automatically safe, but “natural” does not mean harmless. Cannabis still impacts memory, attention, coordination, and anxiety. These effects are much stronger with high potency products. While not everyone develops dependence, many people do, especially teens who initiate use before their brain finishes developing.

To celebrate Prevention Week, we’re continuing to break down common myths about substance use and replace them with honest, research-based conversations that are important for young people.

Myth: “Alcohol isn’t really a drug because everyone drinks.”

“Everyone drinks” is something a lot of young people believe growing up, but common doesn’t automatically mean safe. Alcohol is a drug. It changes how the brain and body function, lowers inhibition, and can impact decision-making and safety in ways people don’t always notice in the moment. One of the biggest challenges with alcohol is how normalized it is socially, which can make risky behaviors feel less serious or easier to dismiss. Prevention starts with honest, informed conversations, not fear or shame.

Check out the Empowered Library this week for new Prevention Week articles from our Editor in Chief, David Sherrell. Explore fresh content focused on prevention, awareness, and student well-being, and stay connected to resources that support healthier choices.
🔗: https://www.sju.edu/prevention-academy/empowered-library

Prevention Week is all about highlighting the work that happens before a crisis, addiction, or mental health struggle escalates. Throughout the week, we’ll be breaking down common myths about substance use, and replacing them with honest, research-based conversations that actually matter to young people.
Day 1: “healthier” doesn’t always mean safe 👀

Hearing directly from students is one of the most meaningful parts of this work. When young people feel engaged, informed, and genuinely part of the conversation, prevention becomes more than a presentation. It becomes a moment of connection, awareness, and support. Thank you to every student who shared their thoughts and experiences with us. Your voices matter, and they help shape the future of prevention education. 🩵🌟