National Fentanyl Awareness Day is April 29th. Fentanyl: a word we’ve all heard. Whether it’s through stories on the news, local community conversations, or general warnings, it has taken over the illicit drug market with its lethal effects. According to the CDC, from 2019 to 2021, 65% of youth who died from an overdose had no documented history of opioid use, with many of these overdoses caused by unknown fentanyl poisoning.

Prom season is finally here. The outfits are ready. The playlists are set. Dinner plans are locked in. The group chats are nonstop. Prom is one of those moments in high school that just feels big in the best way. Big energy. Big laughs. Big memories. It is the kind of night people talk about for years.

Recent research shows that Gen Z drinks less than previous generations, and as someone who is part of Gen Z, that doesn’t surprise me. This generation is far more open about mental health and more aware of how alcohol can affect both mental and physical well-being. Students are paying attention to how drinking impacts their mood, anxiety, sleep, focus, and overall sense of control; many are choosing to step back because of it.