Addiction in the West Valley: A Local Family’s Perspective
Posted on 9/30/25
A local West Valley family shared their deeply personal story of walking through their loved one’s struggle with addiction. Her name was Lorena, a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, friend—a person who was loved by many. The reality of addiction is that it settles in with little warning, allowing many signs to be brushed off as...
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Alert: Carfentanil Resurgence in Arizona
Posted on 8/31/25
Most people have now heard of fentanyl — and far too many have experienced its devastating impact firsthand. Here in Arizona and across the nation, fentanyl has torn through communities with staggering force. It’s 100 times more powerful than morphine and has become the deadliest drug America has ever faced. From 2021 through late 2024,...
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Why the Minimum Age for Substances is 21: The Science Behind the Law
Posted on 3/5/25
Have you ever wondered why you must be 21 to buy alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana? It’s not just a random rule—there’s solid science behind it. Let’s dive into why this age limit is so important for protecting young brains. Your brain keeps developing well into your mid-20s. The prefrontal cortex, which helps with decision-making and...
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Parents in the Know
Posted on 6/14/24
Social media is a part of everyday life; in fact, you might be reading this on a social media platform right now. As adults, we possess the ability to choose what we want to engage with in our lives, an ability honed through personal experiences, relationships, and our evolving vision of what we want our...
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The Do Not Do List
Posted on 1/13/24
As the new year unfolds, we find ourselves immersed in the timeless tradition of seeking a fresh start—a cultural practice that has spanned over 200 years in our Western society. Many Americans embrace the spirit of self-improvement, often manifested in the form of New Year’s Resolutions. As the calendar pages turn, we must introspectively inquire:...
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Our Goal as Parents
Posted on 9/12/23
This is an exciting time for our teens, where they experience increased cognitive abilities, learning, and memory due to the brain’s ability to rewire its connections in response to experiences. What triggers this transition? Physical development (aka puberty), which also initiates brain development. As a teen, I am not only dealing with the stresses of...
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