The future of substance abuse in youth

Developmental psychologist Bonnie Halpern-Felsher specializes in teenage health-related decision-making, especially in their use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other substances. Young people, she says, value immediate social benefits over long-term risks. In response, she supports bans on flavored nicotine products and has developed nationally and internationally used evidence-based substance use prevention and intervention programs, including some that are culturally targeted, such as her vaping prevention curriculum in Hawaii zeroing in on popular flavors like mango and poi. The reward, she says, is reduced substance use and better mental health. “Talk to your kids. Don’t lecture. Have a conversation,” Halpern-Felsher tells host Russ Altman of the best way to break through on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected] Reference Links:Stanford Profile: ​​Bonnie Halpern-FelsherHalpern-Felsher REACH Lab | Stanford MedicineConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a developmental psychologist at Stanford University.(00:03:52) Focus on Youth Substance UseBonnie explains her focus on studying substance behaviors in adolescents.(00:05:32) Current Trends in Youth HealthThe mixed indicators across behavior and mental health in youth.(00:08:46) Effective Health CommunicationWhy long-horizon risk messaging often underperforms in adolescents.(00:11:16) Policy Translation & AdvocacyHow Bonnie translates research findings into policy advocacy.(00:13:54) School-Based Prevention ProgramsAn overview of evidence-based curricula and target age groups.(00:15:04) Measuring Program ImpactThe evaluation approaches and challenges of the prevention programs.(00:16:41) Youth Dependence & CessationWhy addiction develops quickly and the limited treatment options.(00:18:18) Program Adaptation Across ContextsHow curricula are localized without redesigning core methods.(00:21:00) Youth-Oriented Product MarketingThe strategies used by substance industries to market to youth.(00:23:38) Cannabis Potency & Health RiskThe link between higher THC concentrations and medical outcomes.(00:26:48) Patterns of Cannabis UseThe common modes of cannabis use and related exposure risks.(00:28:10) Early Exposure & Prevention NeedsThe reports of substance exposure and use at increasingly early ages.(00:29:10) Guidance for CaregiversPractical guidance for caregivers concerned about substance use.(00:31:23) Future In a MinuteRapid-fire Q&A: asking for help, substance regulation, and alternate degree.(00:33:37) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.