Youth Prevention Advocate at 13: Turning Tragedy Into Change | Episode 161 with Mariah

Meet Mariah, a 13-year-old prevention advocate from Petaluma, California, who is already making an impact in the drug prevention field. After losing her brother to an overdose at age five, Mariah transformed her grief into purpose.In this episode, she shares how she found her voice as an advocate, spoke publicly about her family's experience with addiction, attended the Fentanyl Free America convention after being nominated by the DEA, helped advocate for Narcan access in her community, and is now pushing for stronger drug prevention education in schools.Mariah also opens up about the stigma surrounding addiction, the connection between mental health and substance use, and what she's learned about balancing advocacy with grief and self-care. Her story is a powerful reminder that youth voices matter and speaking from the heart can create real community change.TakeawaysPersonal loss can become purpose and advocacyOpen conversations help reduce addiction stigmaYouth voices can create meaningful community changeNarcan education can challenge fear and misinformationMental health is an important part of substance use preventionSpeaking from the heart can make a powerful impactAdvocacy requires persistence even when people say noSelf-care and processing grief matter too Connect with MariahInstagram: @mariah.g212For feedback, questions and new episode [email protected]/vive18_