Youth & Teen Prevention
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Making Healthy Choices
LGBTQ+ young people face higher risks of substance use, often due to stress, discrimination, or lack of supportive environments. At Our Center, we’re committed to prevention, education, and empowerment—helping middle and high school students make informed, healthy decisions about vaping, prescription medication misuse, and other substances like alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine.
Our Prevention Focus Areas
Through a recent grant, we are specifically focusing on:
-
Vaping Prevention
Addressing the risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine use among LGBTQ+ youth. -
Misused Prescription Medications
Educating students on the dangers of opioid and stimulant misuse.
We also provide resources on:
- Alcohol
- nicotine
- Cannabis
LGBTQ+ School Visits & Presentations
We work with Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and other LGBTQ+ student groups at schools to provide prevention-based education and support. If your club is LGBTQ-centered, we can:
Visit your school’s LGBTQ+ club to introduce prevention strategies and support networks.
Offer LGBTQ+ inclusive prevention curriculum tailored to student groups.
Expand our reach through partnerships with organizations like the Trevor Project, Sources of Strength, and The Truth Initiative.
Now open to classroom visits! Teachers can request our team to speak in health, social studies, or related courses.
Youth Drug-Free Events & Support Groups
Queer Germination Station
Have you checked out the Queer Germination Station yet? 🌈🌿 Join Steph every Thursday from 5-6 PM at Our Center to nourish your plants and your pride!
Queer Teen D&D with DM Mo!
Queer Teen D&D with DM Mo! The 3rd Saturday of each month from 1pm onwards. Each campaign is designed for you to drop in at any time!
True Colors Poetry
Jesse Zeigler, Reno's Poet Laureate, invites you to a monthly poetry reading series at Our Center on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 6 pm.
For Educators & Administrators
At Our Center, we’re committed to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and educators in rural communities.
Chalk Talk: Educator support network for conversation and connection. Come celebrate, commiserate, and coexist. Open to all educators, all identities welcome. Join us 4-5:30pm on the second Monday of the month. See you soon!
Our Center is available for school and classroom visits, substance use prevention education, and strengthening support networks for students, educators, and administrators alike.
Our Center is a proud partner of Sources of Strength which offers training for both youth and adults in secondary schools and community-based settings in their best-practice youth mental health promotion and suicide prevention program. Our Center is available for class and school presentations to promote healthy coping, prevent negative outcomes, build resiliency, and empower our community.
Want Us to Visit Your School?
At Our Center, we are dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth by providing education, resources, and substance-free spaces. We partner with schools, educators, and community members to support young people in making healthy, informed choices. Through school outreach and presentations, we visit LGBTQ+ student clubs and classrooms to educate on substance use prevention, mental health, and allyship.
Educators can also request printed materials, training, and prevention programs to help create safer, more inclusive environments. Beyond the classroom, we offer peer-led support groups for middle and high school students, as well as substance-free events like school dances and social gatherings. For schools in rural Nevada, we provide virtual outreach, digital resources, and mailed materials to ensure LGBTQ+ youth in all communities have access to the support they deserve. Together, we are creating a future where every LGBTQ+ young person can thrive.
Downloadable Resources
Our Mission: Helping to Prevent Substance Use Among LGBTQ+ Youth
Vaping Prevention
The vaping and tobacco industry excessively targets LGBTQ+ individuals in their marketing campaigns, effectively capitalizing and preying on this vulnerable population.
According to research conducted in 2021 by the Truth Initiative research team, more LGBT+ youth have ever used e-cigarettes (49% vs. 39%) and currently use e-cigarettes (18% vs. 13%) compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
Teens and young adults can text “DITCHVAPE” to 88709 to get help quitting
A first-of-its-kind, free and anonymous text messaging program from Truth designed to help young people quit vaping has become a resource for over 750,000 young people.
EX Program is here with you every step of your quitting journey – whether you’re curious about quitting someday in the future or need extra tools to maintain the progress you’ve already made. It’s developed with experts and informed by millions of experienced quitters. You'll get science-backed, 24/7 support – all for free.
Misused Prescription Medications
In an attempt to cope with violence, trauma, depression, and other co-occurring mental health disorders, LGBTQ+ youth may turn to prescription opioids of their own or prescribed to someone they know.
Opioids may serve to relieve painful emotional and physical symptoms in which youth seek a feeling of euphoria. Opioid misuse can lead to addiction and other harmful side effects such as memory loss, confusion, and even death in the case of an overdose. Opioid misuse also carries the risk of unknowingly laced substances and counterfeit pills which lead to dangerous outcomes and health risks.
Alcohol, nicotine and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ youth
Polysubstance use is prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community, such as nicotine in combination with alcohol.
Data from The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health suggests that regular polysubstance use was associated with greater odds of reported suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ youth.
FAQ – Common Youth Prevention Questions
LGBTQ+ youth are at higher risk for substance use and misuse–oftentimes as a result of coping with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and more. Early intervention is key to preventing overdose, managing substance use, and improving overall health outcomes and brain development.
LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to be targeted by tobacco and vaping companies through ads that appeal to queer identities, pride imagery, or stress relief messaging. But vaping isn’t safe. It can lead to nicotine addiction, lung damage, and increased anxiety and depression—especially harmful if you’re already dealing with stress or discrimination. Vaping may feel like a way to cope, but it often makes things harder in the long run, especially when used to manage mental health.
Schools that create inclusive and affirming environments can significantly reduce the risk of substance use among LGBTQ+ youth. This involves supporting Gender & Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), training teachers and staff on LGBTQ+ issues, swiftly addressing bullying and harassment, and providing access to inclusive counseling and education about healthy coping skills. When LGBTQ+ students feel seen, supported, and safe at school, they are much less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with stress.
Yes. You can reach out to supportive adults, community centers like OUR Center, or youth-focused hotlines and programs—and your privacy will be respected. In Nevada, many resources offer confidential services to youth, including mental health support, substance prevention, and crisis lines. You won’t get in trouble for asking for help, and you don’t need parental permission for many services. You are not alone, and help is available without judgment.
