On this week’s Pulse of St. Louis, FOX 2’s Huda spoke with Hazelwood D.A.R.E. Officer Ed Novak about the growing concern over teens and addictions
ST. LOUIS – Studies show that more than 100,000 Americans die of overdose each year.

As police departments grapple with drug-related deaths, they’re also addressing another addiction – one that didn’t exist 20 years ago.

Teens and even children are finding themselves hooked on social media. The addictive nature of screen time is compounding the mental health crisis, linking young people to loneliness, anxiety and depression.

On this week’s Pulse of St. Louis, FOX 2’s Huda spoke with Hazelwood D.A.R.E. Officer Ed Novak about the growing concern over teens and addictions.

From FOX 2
Here’s what D.A.R.E. is teaching kids about weed

Here’s what D.A.R.E. is teaching kids about weed

Aside from living through the first iteration of social media and being the final group to understand what an internet dial tone sound is, Millennials were also the first full generation to go through the classic Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program....

Key Addiction Points You Need to Know

Key Addiction Points You Need to Know

Substance use disorder (SUD) is the nation’s most pressing public health challenge, and the most urgent SUD in 2024 is opioid abuse and dependency. According to the CDC, more than one million people have died since 1999 from drug overdose…

Old Lyme Officer Revives D.A.R.E. Program After Two Decades Hiatus

Old Lyme Officer Revives D.A.R.E. Program After Two Decades Hiatus

Officer Stephen Hackett of the Old Lyme Police Department is set to become the town’s first Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) instructor in over two decades. With a new focus on skill-building, the updated D.A.R.E. program aims to empower the town’s youth to make responsible choices.

Mental Health Stigma: Life or Death

Mental Health Stigma: Life or Death

The pervasive stigma against people with addictions, particularly opioid use disorder (OUD), is a major problem requiring urgent attention in the United States. Stigma is likely at least part of the reason why only 1 in 5 individuals with opioid dependence receives…

D.A.R.E. Returns to Conway, Missouri

D.A.R.E. Returns to Conway, Missouri

The Conway Elementary School D.A.R.E. Graduation was held on January 25, 2024. Fifty-seven students successfully completed the program. Deputy Jesse Sherrer of the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office did a great job teaching them good decision-making skills to help his...

150-Plus Students Graduate Russell D.A.R.E. Program

150-Plus Students Graduate Russell D.A.R.E. Program

Russell Elementary students graduated from the D.A.R.E. program at Russell-McDowell Intermediate School on Monday. About 153 fifth-grade students — all wearing white shirts that read “keep kids off drugs” — filled the gymnasium early afternoon Monday to be recognized...