Why Prevention Matters

The adolescent brain is quickly developing and will not reach full maturity until a person is about 25 years old. This means that just as it is easier to learn another language when you are younger, it is also easier for your brain to develop harmful habits.

90% of adults with a substance use disorder began using substances as teenagers. Simply delaying the age of first use can have a huge impact on how likely a person is to develop a substance use disorder as an adult.

EPIC is focused on youth prevention. By preventing use in teenagers, we can help prevent substance use disorder in adults. We invite you to join us in building a more resilient and protective community for the well-being of our youth. To learn more about how you can get involved, email Mollie Mustoe at mmustoe@qbhs.org.

Cover image from 3.1 How the brain develops – Trauma Informed Behaviour Support: A Practical Guide to Developing Resilient Learners (nscc.ca)