What Dane County Youth Want Us To Know About Substance Use

When adults talk about youth substance use, we often focus on data, trends, or ways to prevent it. But what if we started by listening? That's what we did

 through Youth Voices, a project that invited young people across Dane County to share how vaping, alcohol, and other drugs have affected their lives, families, and communities.

The project took place in January and February and was a collaborative effort led by the Dane County Prevention Alliance, a network of area coalitions—a group convened by Public Health to share resources and coordinate prevention efforts across the County. We worked with eight area high schools and participation by youth was voluntary and anonymous, yielding 732 completed surveys. We analyzed their handwritten responses and were able to create a report of their honest thoughts and opinions.

Addiction doesn't just affect one person—it affects relationships

One of the strongest messages we heard was that substance use affects relationships with family and friends. Youth shared how hard it is to watch someone they care about struggle with addiction. They talked about feeling like drugs or alcohol became more important than the people who love them. One student shared, “I've had relationships end… because people prioritized drugs over the people they love and that hurts so much." Others talked about losing trust, feeling alone, or worrying about friends whose substance use was changing who they are.

Youth know substances aren't a solution for stress

Many young people acknowledge that some people use substances to cope with stress, anxiety, or sadness. But they also know what happens next. Instead of helping, vaping and drug use can make anxiety, depression, irritability, and feelings of worthlessness worse. As one student put it, “It provides a temporary, fake relief that makes the person end up in a worse place than they started."

Secondhand smoke and vape fumes affect everyone

Many students shared how hard it is to avoid secondhand smoke and vape fumes at school and in public places. School bathrooms came up many times, with students saying they sometimes avoid them because of vape fumes or weed smoke. Others talked about being exposed to secondhand smoke at parks, concerts, and parties. For youth who don't use substances, these experiences can make everyday places feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or even inaccessible.

Their advice to younger kids is simple: Don't start

One of the clearest messages came when youth were asked what they would tell younger students. Their answer was simple: Don't start. They said substance use won't solve problems, won't help someone fit in, and is much harder to quit than many people think. One student's advice summed up what many others said: “Don't do it… If you are curious or thinking about it, talk to your parents or a trusted adult."

If you know a young person who has started, there are resources to help

If a young person has already tried or is regularly vaping or using substances, there is always a way forward. The goal is protection and support, not judgment. Here are resources to help young people who may use substances:

• Teens and Young Adults (ages 13–26): Text VAPEFREE to 873373 or enroll via Live Vape Free to receive customized text support and non-judgmental coaching. Parents and educators can also access dedicated Live Vape Free courses to help guide youth.
• This is Quitting is a national 24/7 text-to-quit vaping service designed for teens and young adults (ages 13–24). To enroll, simply text DITCHVAPE to 88709. You will receive customized, non-judgmental daily text messages, coping tips, and encouragement tailored to your specific age and product.
• For help with substances other than tobacco and nicotine, visit the Dane County Behavioral Health Resource Center for support tailored to your needs.

Listening is one of the most powerful prevention tools 

This project reminds us that young people have important stories to share. They see how addiction affects families, friendships, and everyday life. Their experiences show why it's important to help young people find healthy ways to deal with stress and create spaces where they feel safe talking about their mental health before they turn to substances.

For parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, and other caring adults, the message is simple: Keep the conversation going. Ask questions. Listen without judgment. Let young people know you're there for them. When we listen to youth, we don't just hear their concerns but become better at supporting them as a community. 

In public health, our job is bigger than just warning teenagers about the dangers of substances. We focus on changing the world around them to make healthy choices easier. A teenager's choices are shaped by how easy it is to buy these products and how often they see them advertised. That is why we work on community-wide solutions like:

• Helping pass local laws that keep vape shops away from schools and places where youth hang out
• Make sure retailers don't sell to underage people by conducting compliance checks
• Giving youth a voice by funding student groups where teens take the lead to reach their peers by designing their own campaigns, influencing policy, and educating them on the dangers of substances

Real change happens when we listen to young people, value their experiences, and empower them to shape the schools and communities they want to grow up in.

To learn more, visit our Prevention & Harm Reduction page.