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Warren County Prevention & Intervention Coalition
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Community resources

Resources for Parents & Caregivers

Parenting is one of the most important — and most challenging — jobs in the world. When it comes to preventing substance misuse, having the right information and tools makes a difference. The coalition is here to support you with practical resources, guidance, and local connections.

Start the conversation

Talk early, talk often.

Starting the conversation early helps build trust and resilience — before peer pressure arrives. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Begin before problems start. Talk about health, goals, and choices — not just drugs.
  • Listen more than you speak. Encourage your child to share openly.
  • Be clear about your values and expectations.
  • You don’t need all the answers. Honesty and openness go a long way.

Helpful guide: SAMHSA “Talk. They Hear You.”

Volunteers and community members at the unveiling of Warren County's first Caring Library Narcan box in McMinnville, TN.
Know the signs

Recognizing early warning signs.

You know your child best. If you notice changes that feel unusual, trust your instincts. Common early indicators include:

Mood & behavior

Sudden mood changes, new friend groups, secrecy, or loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy.

School & sleep

Declining grades, skipped classes, changes in sleep or appetite, or frequent unexplained physical complaints.

Around the house

Unexplained money use, missing medication, or missing valuables from home.

Mental health

Withdrawal from family and friends, hopelessness, or talk of self-harm. If your child is at immediate risk, call or text 988.

Download our Parent Checklist

Practical steps

Lock it up. Dispose safely. Carry Narcan.

  • Lock up medications. Most teens who misuse prescription medication get it from a home medicine cabinet. Free medication lock bags are available through the coalition.
  • Dispose of unused pills safely. Bring them to a local Drug Take Back event, held with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Never flush medications.
  • Keep Narcan at home. Free naloxone is available at every Caring Library location in Warren County — no prescription, no questions, no cost. It’s like a fire extinguisher: you hope you never need it.
Where to turn

Help for parents in Warren County.

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