The Alcohol & Addictions Resource Center (AARC) launched a new regional awareness campaign on April 20, aimed at helping parents better understand the risks associated with youth vaping, including the growing concern around THC use among teens.
The campaign, “Before the Habit Hits,” will debut with billboards placed at key locations throughout the South Bend area. Designed to reach parents of school-age children, the effort is intended to raise awareness, prompt family conversations and connect the community with trusted information and support.
Billboards will be located near the following intersections:
- S.R. 933 and Dubois Avenue
- Western Avenue and South Sheridan Street
- East Sample Street and Caroll Street
- East Mishawaka Avenue and Longfellow Avenue
- McKinley Highway and Fillmore Street
- East Jefferson Boulevard and South Hill Street.
“Before the Habit Hits” is part of a broader effort to create more original, locally relevant prevention messaging for this region and to give parents a clearer entry point for information and support. The campaign is specifically geared toward parents, with billboards serving as the first major public-facing step in a longer-term awareness effort.
“Parents are up against a fast-changing landscape, and vaping is part of that, especially in this region, with our proximity to legalized cannabis products,” AARC Executive Director Frank Spesia said. “This campaign is meant to help families recognize the issue, understand what’s at stake and know where to turn if they need more information or support.”
AARC’s campaign focuses in part on THC use among youth and the serious risks that can come with it. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1 in 6 people who begin using marijuana as a teen, and 25 to 50 percent of people who use it daily, become addicted to it.
Health experts also continue to warn youth THC use can have lasting consequences. Regular use has been linked to increased depression and anxiety, and in some cases psychosis. Teens who use THC also tend to have worse academic outcomes, and frequent use may reduce IQ over time.
Spesia said the campaign is intended to be informative and practical, giving parents a stronger understanding of what to watch for and what steps they can take if they are concerned.
Families who contact AARC can expect support in two broad areas: referrals to clinical services and additional educational resources for self-guided learning.
Referrals are available for:
- Individual substance-use disorder assessments
- General mental health services for individuals
- Group counseling
Those interested in clinical services can contact AARC by phone, email at aarc@aarcinfo.org, or through the organization’s website.
AARC will also direct families to additional educational resources from the CDC, NIH, SAMHSA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The organization’s upcoming website redesign will include a dedicated resource hub as part of the broader campaign rollout.
“This is about giving parents useful information before a problem grows larger,” Spesia said. “We want families in this region to know they’re not alone, and there are places they can go for answers, guidance and next steps.”
For more information about “Before the Habit Hits,” clinical referrals or educational resources, contact AARC.
