Adolescence At Risk

Adolescence is a crucible: developing brains, fragile routines, volatile social norms. Risk is highest here, and prevention matters most. But effective prevention looks nothing like scare films or slogans. It looks mundane—delaying first use, stabilizing schools, strengthening families, and ensuring pro-social milestones like graduation or work. Rapid intervention when trouble appears makes the difference between trajectory and derailment. We argue that the most powerful prevention is boring, structured, and consistent—exactly what volatile adolescence resists, but exactly what it needs.

By Niklas S. Osterman BHPRN, MA Addiction Specialist