Stop Before You Start was created in memory of McKayla Jean Jones, a young woman who wanted to help children understand the truth about drugs. Her message now lives on through every young person who learns to say no, step away and tell a safe adult.

For many young people, their first experience with drugs or alcohol begins with an offer from someone they know—a friend, classmate or person they trust.

That is why drug education must begin before the offer does.

Stop Before You Start: Learn the Truth. Stay Safe. is a drug-safety learning and activity book created to teach young people the truth before someone convinces them that trying something once will not hurt.

Drug dealers will not tell children the truth. They will not explain what an unknown pill, powder, liquid, vape or gummy could contain. They will not warn them that one experiment can lead to poisoning, addiction or death.

We must tell them first.

Through clear lessons, realistic situations and meaningful activities, young readers learn that danger does not always look frightening. It may look like candy, medicine or something handed to them by a friend.

Young readers will learn:

• Never to take medicine that was not prescribed for them• Why unknown pills, powders, liquids, vapes and inhalants can be dangerous• How to recognize peer pressure and confidently say no• Why a real friend will never pressure them to use drugs or alcohol• How to trust their instincts when something feels wrong• How to use a family code word• What to do if they find something dangerous• How to recognize an emergency and call 911• Who the safe adults are in their lives and how to ask for help

Designed for Grades 6–8, this book can be used at home, in classrooms, counselling programs, youth groups and community drug-prevention initiatives.

Teach them before they are offered.Reach them before drugs do.Stop them before they start.

Stop Before You Start.Learn the Truth. Stay Safe.McKayla’s Message.