Understanding Youth Substance Use
BY: PATTI OLIVEIRA, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
INTERVIEW BY: CHANTELLE QUESNELLE, MENTAL HEALTH LEAD
GUEST: SARAH CAIRNS, PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, SIMCOE MUSKOKA DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT
MAY 5, 2025
Embedded Files
To listen to the full episode of the Beyond the Bell podcast, click on the audio player below:
To listen to the full episode of the Beyond the Bell podcast, click on the audio player below:
When it comes to substance use, many parents and caregivers feel unsure about how to support the young people in their lives. It can be hard to know when to step in, what to say, or even how worried to be.
You might catch a change in your teen’s mood. Maybe their friend group shifts. Maybe you find a hidden vape or overhear a conversation that makes your heart race. Suddenly, you're faced with a flood of questions: Is this just a phase? Should I confront them? Am I overreacting — or not reacting enough?
In moments like these, many parents feel isolated and overwhelmed. That’s why conversations like the ones on the Beyond the Bell podcast matter so much.
In the latest episode, host Chantelle Quesnelle is joined by Sarah Cairns, a public health nurse with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU). Chantelle and Sarah chat about what substance use can look like for young people today, why it’s important to stay connected through open conversations, and how parents and caregivers can offer support without judgment or fear.
One of the key ideas they shared is that risk-taking is a natural part of growing up. During adolescence, the brain is wired for exploration and testing boundaries. It doesn’t mean a young person is heading down a dangerous path — it means they’re doing exactly what their brain is built to do. Understanding this can shift the conversation from fear to curiosity, opening the door to ongoing, honest dialogue.
Chantelle: Recognizing that stage of development and understanding that curiosity and risk-taking exploration is part of development in some ways can help mitigate potential risks by fostering healthy risk-taking… through sports or other activities.
Sarah: That's an important time in our human development, right? That is a time in life that we want to be out exploring and taking these risks. So, it does lend itself to an extra level of safety when it comes to substance use. The other issue is, the earlier our youth are using substances, the higher the risk of developing a dependence on those substances later in life.
As with so many things, timing is everything. The brain continues developing well into a person’s twenties, so early substance use can have long-term impacts. Building strong relationships early on — before serious issues arise — can make it easier to have tough conversations later.
Substance use doesn’t always look the way people expect. It may manifest as changes in mood, declining grades, or forming new friend groups. Sometimes, it’s a way of coping with stress or mental health struggles. Recognizing these signs without jumping to conclusions is key. Staying connected, listening carefully, and offering support can make a real difference.
Sarah: Signs of early substance use can be common in the transition into teenage years, so we definitely want to keep that in mind. But isolation, a demand for privacy – if your child is usually very social and seems to be withdrawing…I would start to ask questions.
If they have extra money or don't have a lot of money, you're not sure where money is going or where it’s coming from, just have a heightened awareness of that. Academic issues is another sign. And just finding paraphernalia around is a flag that maybe there's something going on. So these are things that you identify, even if it's not related to substance use, can perhaps indicate that youth is experiencing stress or depression or anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts.
Sarah goes on to say that how you have the conversations is almost as important as having them:
Lead conversations with compassion, don’t jump to conclusions, identify when you start to see these changes and ask, “OK, what's going on here? Can I help you with anything?” Also asking other members of your child’s community can help as well – asking if anyone has noticed anything… just piece it together, and rally around that young one who might need some help at that time.
Chantelle: Yeah, I'm thinking about the car conversations or the conversations while you're cooking dinner or when you're doing these other things… Sometimes the strategy of saying, “My intention is checking in right now… making sure that you're safe. It's not about getting you in trouble.” So laying out those intentions to help guide the conversation… with a focus on safety can be an inroad to the conversation with our, with our young people.
A new challenge that families need to be aware of is the rise of counterfeit substances and online drug sales. The risks are real, and open conversations about safety have never been more important.
Sarah: We've seen, statistically, a significant increase in youth accessing prescription opioids and misusing that prescription. So as a parent or family member… if you have prescriptions in your house, you should know what they are and where they are, and make sure they're out of reach.
Another challenge that we're having is that youth are purchasing what we call counterfeit pills online… We have heard that Snapchat is popular because it deletes information quickly, but any social or gaming platform is something to be aware of. Being involved in your child’s online life… can be another way to keep your child safe.
The message from the SMDHU is clear: you don’t have to have all the answers. What matters most is being present, listening without judgment, and making sure the young people in your life know they can come to you.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with conversations about substance use. But Sarah and Chantelle remind us that connection is more powerful than perfection. Simply showing up — asking questions, listening openly, and offering steady support — can make a real difference.
Whether your child is experimenting, feeling pressure from friends, or just trying to navigate stress, knowing they have a trusted adult to lean on is key. And if a bigger concern does arise, that foundation of trust can help you work through it together.
At the heart of it, young people don't expect parents and caregivers to be experts. They just need them to care — to listen, to stay curious, and to be there when it matters most.
If you’d like to hear more about this important topic, be sure to catch the whole conversation on Beyond the Bell in the player linked below or wherever you listen to podcasts.
If you're looking for more information, tools, or support, numerous resources are available. You can find local services, helpful conversation starters, and up-to-date statistics about youth substance use through the following links:
Drug Free Kids Canada: www.drugfreekidscanada.org
Health Stats Simcoe Muskoka: www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Health-Stats/HealthStatsHome/SubstanceUse/YouthSubstanceUse
Listen to the full episode of this Beyond the Bell podcast below:
Listen to the full episode of this Beyond the Bell podcast below:
Page updated
Report abuse