Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD partners, SOAR coalition urge parents to hold 'stronger conversations' about teen substance use

Tiffany Turner, coordinator of crisis intervention for Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, opened a parent workshop by describing school partnerships with the SOAR coalition and Challenge of Tarrant County that supply drug-prevention education and resources for families.

"We want our youth to soar to their greatest potential in life by making those smart and healthy decisions," Erica Castillo, program director with Challenge of Tarrant County, told the audience as she introduced a presentation on "stronger conversations, safe choices, and connecting with our youth." Castillo said the session, developed with the UTA School of Social Work and UT Health Fort Worth, focused on equipping parents to talk with teens about substance use.

Castillo listed common adolescent substances of concern — nicotine vaping, THC (including edibles), counterfeit prescription pills, alcohol and other illicit drugs — and emphasized that, while most teens are not using, parents should be prepared to have open conversations. "Research shows that parents are the number-one influence of youth decisions about substance use," she said, adding that open communication makes teens more likely to delay or avoid substance use and to seek help when needed.

The workshop emphasized practical skills: start conversations from a strength-based place, use open-ended questions rather than yes/no queries, remain calm and listen without judgment, and role-play refusal responses. Castillo recommended short, frequent conversations embedded in everyday activities — "60 one-minute conversations are more impactful than one 60-minute lecture," she said — and advised parents to secure medications and identify trusted adults teens can contact in a crisis.

Participants practiced a "turn-and-talk" exercise. One attendee identified as Anthony described attempting to engage children through spontaneous moments rather than planned talks. Castillo validated that approach as a way to combine attention and purpose in everyday interactions. In another exchange, a participant suggested asking teens "why do you feel that way?" to open dialogue rather than pressuring for a confession.

Castillo closed by inviting parents to pick one conversation to start in the coming week and to use available resources, including handouts on refusal skills available at the event. She reiterated the session's takeaway: listen with curiosity, set clear expectations, follow through on consequences when necessary, and keep lines of communication open so teens feel safe returning to the conversation.

The presentation concluded with a brief Q&A and an invitation to sign up for the SOAR coalition; no formal actions or votes were taken.