May 9th was National Fentanyl Awareness Day.\xa0When past SMA\xa0guest, Brenda Zane, reached out to ask if we could have a conversation to raise awareness around this day, I knew I had to say yes.\xa0Talking about drugs, especially fentanyl, is scary and uncomfortable for sure.\xa0But if this conversation can help one family or save one child it\u2019s well worth it.\xa0\xa0\nBrenda Zane is a family advocate, certified parent coach & facilitator with The Partnership to End Addiction, host of the podcast Hopestream, and founder of a nonprofit organization, Hopestream Community. She\u2019s passionate about serving parents of kids who struggle with substance misuse and mental health. Brenda's oldest son struggled with an addiction to a high-risk lifestyle and illicit drugs for over 5 years. After nearly losing him to multiple fentanyl overdoses, Brenda left her marketing career to serve other families dealing with the fear, confusion, and feelings of helplessness of having a child who's misusing drugs or alcohol.\nListen in to hear Brenda share:\xa0\n\nHow her teen son overdosing on fentanyl twice in 3 days in 2017 informed her work today\n\nThe 3 things you need to know about fentanyl as a parent\n\nMyths and truths about fentanyl and its various forms\n\nWhere kids are quickly and easily getting pills online\n\nHow to talk to your kids about fentanyl and what age to start the conversation\n\nHow to keep open communication with your kids about drugs over the years\n\nThe connection between neurodiversities and addiction\n\nWhat to do if you\u2019re worried your child might be experimenting with drugs\n\nLinks mentioned:\n\nParent Prep for Pride Month 2023!\xa0Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth: \xa0www.PrideandJoyParents.com\n\n\nConnect with Brenda and her community: www.hopestreamcommunity.org\n\n\nPodcast: Hopestream\n\n\nBrenda on SMA Episode 454: Parenting Your Teen Through Addiction\n\n\nBook: Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change\n\n\nWe love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor\nInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices