RESOURCES | Ray Lozano

 

Thanks again to Ray Lozano of Prevention Plus and all who joined us for “How to Talk to Youth about Alcohol & Vaping”.

The event flew by and we found ourselves wishing there had been more time to get into more details… but don’t worry, he’s packed the resources he gave us with TONS of information.

Some major takeaways from the call that our PNW Parent Education team wrote down:

  • Whoever asks the questions, drives the conversation. 

  • Emotion drives the connection. Connection is essential before any correction/impact on their knowledge.

    • Important to speak in the same language… emotional v. intellectual

  • Rules need to make sense. Teenagers don’t register danger on the same level that our adult brains do. If we present information about the risks and dangers of something, it could tempt them to test it out rather than avoid it. 

  • Disconnect increases Risk

  • Connection is greater than compliance

  • Communicating Without Lecturing or Judging:  Use neutral, nonjudgmental language that preserves trust and minimizes resistance. This includes learning how to express expectations and concerns clearly without relying on fear-based messaging, over-explaining, or corrective lecturing that can undermine communication.

  • Maintaining Ongoing, Trust-Based Dialogue: Parents will feel equipped to move beyond one-time “talks” and instead sustain ongoing, low-pressure conversations over time. This approach reinforces protective factors, strengthens the parent–child relationship, and supports healthier decision-making as youth encounter new social pressures.

How to Talk to Youth about Alcohol & Vaping Recording

 
 
 

Here are some resources shared by Ray:

Quick Reference:

Ray’s website (links below) has very detailed information for multiple groups of people in teens’ lives, regarding Vaping, Marijuana, and Alcohol. The types of info intended for each group is below:

  • Parents: Warning signs, conversation starters, and how to respond

  • Teachers: Classroom support, referral guidance, and prevention strategies

  • Social Workers & Counselors: Early intervention, screening, and family support

  • Community Groups: Prevention events, messaging, and engagement tools

  • Grandparents: Supportive roles, boundaries, and family consistency

  • Everyone: Teen brain development, myths vs. facts, and FAQs

Vaping and Teens: A Complete Prevention Guide for Parents, Schools, and Communities

Marijuana and Teens: A Complete Prevention Guide for Parents, Schools, and Communities

Teen Alcohol Education: A Complete Prevention Guide for Parents, Schools, and Communities

Additional resources

Websites mentioned on call: