Prevention and education work, but only if we start early. Research backs this up: we need to reach kids sooner than most people think.
"Knowledge is the strongest defense against synthetics."
Our funding proposal seeks $5,500 for three interactive workshops of one to two hours each, with materials and assessments before and after each session. The four curriculum topics below cover cannabis, vaping, fentanyl, and stimulants, depressants, and counterfeit pills, alongside addiction and mental wellness.
"Understanding emotions to prevent self harm."
Addiction often starts with emotional pain. Our Mental Wellness Workshop, "Understanding Emotions and Critical Thinking," teaches emotional intelligence and healthier thought patterns. We cover nonviolent communication and positive self talk, so young people have real tools for the stress, anger, anxiety, and grief that often lead to self medication and violence.
"Students leading the conversation for their peers."
We want schools and students to keep this conversation going after we leave. That's why we set up ILF Youth Groups: ongoing materials and discussion topics students can use with each other. Over time, group members become the person other students turn to.
"Celebrating life safely, without substances."
Our annual "Music and Lights for Life Dance and Exhibition" is a safe place to dance, laugh, and have fun without drugs or alcohol. We share real information about drug lacing, mental health, and counterfeit pills. Contact us to ask about overdose response education and naloxone availability at upcoming activities. We remember the people we've lost, and we do what we can to protect the people who are still here.
Accidental overdose, most of it from synthetic opioids, has reached crisis levels. Vaping, easy access to high THC cannabis and synthetic marijuana, and the growing threat of fentanyl laced pills are making it worse. Early education and intervention matter because they can stop addiction before it starts. And we have to deal with anxiety, stress, anger, grief, and depression too. Those are often what lead to self medication in the first place.
Annual overdose deaths in the US
Involve synthetic opioids like fentanyl
Recommended age to begin early prevention
Enhance participants' understanding of the dangers associated with drug use and the importance of mental wellness.
Equip individuals with critical information, tools and strategies to resist peer pressure and make informed decisions.
Provide coping mechanisms to manage emotions effectively, reducing the likelihood of turning to substances.
Encourage ongoing dialogue and support networks within the community and schools.
We break down the real facts about these substances to cut through what kids find online. Every presentation is built for the group we're talking to.
Sight, taste, and smell cannot detect fentanyl in drugs. CDC fentanyl facts
Products sold as “synthetic marijuana,” K2, or Spice contain lab made chemicals that differ from cannabis. Their contents and effects can be unpredictable and may cause severe illness.
CDC: K2/Spice health risks (January 2025)Carfentanil is a highly potent synthetic opioid. It has been found mixed with other drugs and in counterfeit pills that resemble prescription medicines, increasing overdose risk.
DEA: carfentanil information (May 2025)Addiction often starts with emotional pain. These are the real tools we teach to deal with it before it leads to self medication.
"Building leaders from the 4th grade and beyond."
Iman's Light Wings is our youth leadership program for students starting in 4th grade. We help schools set up student led clubs where kids keep talking about drug prevention, mentor each other, and stay involved in their community. The conversation doesn't stop when our workshop ends: it continues through the club, led by the students themselves.
The proposal requests $5,500 for three interactive prevention workshops and associated educational materials, community outreach, evaluation, and administration. This breakdown describes the requested budget.
| Budget Item | Proposed Cost |
|---|---|
| Workshop Facilitators (including peer specialists) | $3,600 |
| Educational Materials Development | $450 |
| Community Outreach / Iman's Light Wings | $1,000 |
| Program Evaluation and Reporting | $250 |
| Administrative Costs | $200 |
| Total | $5,500 |
Securing grants, government agencies, corporate sponsorships, and individual donors to maintain long term financial health.
Integrating workshops into existing programs at local schools, community centers, and youth organizations.
Building a network of trained community volunteers and peer specialists to assist in workshop facilitation.
Running ongoing assessments before and after each workshop to measure learning outcomes and improve workshop content.
Collaborating with city leaders and law enforcement to promote policies supporting substance abuse prevention.
Creating educational materials, toolkits, and digital assets for replication across other counties.
We partner with police, city leaders, and the DEA on safe drug disposal. Help us push for legislative change and bring these workshops to more students.
