Last fall, Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA), through the Bloom Kentucky initiative, conducted six focus groups across the Commonwealth to elevate youth perspectives in shaping the Attorney General’s youth substance use prevention campaign, “Better Without It”. With participation from 70 middle and high school students, we engaged young people from Mayfield, Springfield, Louisville, Hazard, and Covington, while a virtual focus group connected youth from Shelby, Warren, Taylor, and Boyle Counties. These conversations—held both in-person and virtually—provided invaluable insight into the realities young people face regarding mental health, relationships, substance use, and sources of support.
The Youth Perspective: Key Takeaways
Mental Health Matters
Students consistently cited anxiety, stress, and depression as major challenges. School pressures, social status concerns, and the constant balancing act of academics, extracurriculars, and home life left many feeling overwhelmed. Some students expressed difficulty maintaining motivation, particularly post-pandemic, while others struggled with seasonal academic stressors like scholarships, testing, and college decisions.
Who do youth trust for mental health support?
While friends and family ranked high as trusted confidants, many also turned to teachers, coaches, and school counselors—though some were wary of confidentiality issues. Social media and online platforms provided anonymous avenues for seeking help, but accessibility to trained mental health professionals in schools remained a critical need.
Substance Use in Communities
When asked about substances present in their communities, youth pointed to a mix of nicotine, vapes, marijuana, and alcohol, with an alarming ease of access. Some participants noted that it was “easier to get drugs than groceries” in their areas, with substances being exchanged in school hallways, at sporting events, and even on buses.
While some substances, like alcohol and marijuana, were seen as “normalized”, students highlighted growing concerns about fentanyl, prescription painkillers, and methamphetamine, which were described as escalation drugs for youth who had grown desensitized to more common substances.
Why are youth using substances?
Students pointed to stress, peer pressure, and lack of alternative activities as major factors. Many felt drugs were used as a coping mechanism—for mental health struggles, boredom, adverse family experiences, or to fit in and feel a sense of belonging. Misinformation about substance effects was also common, with youth sharing that nicotine and stimulants were frequently used under the false belief that they help with focus and stress relief.
What Works: Effective Prevention Strategies
Students were vocal about what doesn’t work—traditional “Just Say No” campaigns, outdated anti-drug PSAs, and scare tactics that don’t align with their lived realities. Instead, they emphasized the need for:
- Real-life testimonials from individuals who have struggled with addiction
- Being met with responses of support instead of punitive measures, such as suspension
- More engaging, real-world interventions, such as interactive simulations and peer-led education
- Accessible mental health resources in school that focus on prevention, not just intervention
- Alternative positive experiences—more youth programs, sports, creative outlets, and leadership opportunities.
The Power of Relationships
For many youth, friends, family, and trusted adults played critical roles in shaping their choices. Relationships that were supportive and understanding were seen as a major protective factor against risky behaviors. However, challenging relationships—whether due to parental expectations, peer pressure, or community norms—often led to stress and feelings of isolation.
When asked about role models, students identified a mix of national and local influencers, from musicians and athletes to community leaders and mentors in school or faith-based organizations.
Looking Ahead
These focus groups highlighted the need for youth-driven, community-informed strategies that go beyond surface-level messaging and we applaud the Attorney General Russell Coleman, along with his staff for centering youth voices, prioritizing mental health, and creating meaningful opportunities for youth engagement in the development of this campaign. Initiatives such as this empower the next generation to lead healthier, substance-free lives.
The detailed insights from these discussions directly informed the Attorney General’s statewide youth prevention efforts. KYA and Bloom KY remain committed to working alongside youth, schools, and policymakers to ensure that solutions are not just effective—but also relevant and youth-centered.
Learn More About Better Without It
Interested in learning more about the Better Without it Campaign?
Leave A Comment