LPKNC

the summer on your feed is the highlight reel. so you see the lake day, group pic, everyone looking like they're thriving. what you don't see is the boredom, random arguments, and long 'nothing' afternoons. don't compare your real summer against everyone's best 10 seconds and wonder why you feel behind. you're not behind. you're just seeing the edit. if the scroll keeps leaving you low, it's ok to put it down for a bit.

Teen Lifeline, call or text 520-327-8336 if you need someone to talk to.

The w**d from the 1990s averaged under 4 percent THC. What's on shelves now is often 16 percent or higher, and concentrates can hit 80 to 90 percent.

Your brain reacts to that very differently.

Higher potency means higher risk of dependence, anxiety, and in some cases psychosis, especially under 25.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse, nida.nih.gov

Old prescriptions sitting in the bathroom cabinet are where a lot of misuse starts.

You can drop them off, no questions asked, at any of the six Pima County Sheriff substations with Dispose-A-Med bins, at most Walgreens and CVS locations, and at DEA Drug Take Back events every April and October. Clear out what you do not need.

Sources: Pima County Sheriff Dispose-A-Med, pimasheriff.org; DEA Take Back, deatakeback.com

Narcan reverses an opioid overdose, and it is now sold over the counter at most pharmacies. No prescription needed. In Arizona, you can also order it free by mail from Sonoran Prevention Works at spwaz.org or find free local pickup sites at naloxoneaz.com. Keep it where you keep the first aid kit. It only saves a life if it is in the house.

Sources: Arizona Department of Health Services, azhealth.gov/opioid; spwaz.org