E.A.R.L.Y
Ending Addiction: Resources and Learning for Youth
About Let's Start Early
​
​
At Let’s Start Early, our mission is to empower elementary-aged children with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to make healthy choices and avoid the dangers of drug use. Through engaging, age-appropriate education—including storytelling, puppet shows, interactive lessons, and community programs—we aim to plant the seeds of prevention early, fostering resilience, awareness, and a strong foundation for lifelong well-being. My goal to is to provide this curriculum free of charge to all students, educators, home school providers, and any organization that wishes to utilize them.
​
Why Do We Have to Start Early?
Early Exposure Increases Risk
Teens who start using drugs before age 18 are more likely to develop addiction later in life.
Brain Development
The teen brain is still developing, especially in areas responsible for decision-making and impulse control, making them more vulnerable to addiction.
Overdose Risks
The rate of overdose deaths among teens aged 14-18 nearly doubled between 2019 and 2022 and continues to climb. (JAMA,2022).
​
Prevalence of Use
1 in 8 teenagers (12-17) reported using an illicit drug in the past year (SAMAHSA, 2022).
Prevention Works
Education about the risks of drugs-starting in elementary school- lowers the chance of drug use later on.
Overdose Death Frequency
One person dies every 5 minutes from a drug overdose, and that includes about 3 teens a day. (CDC 2024).
CERTIFIED PROGRAMS
5 STAR
GOOGLE REVIEWS
