Norma Norris

Norma Norris is the Executive Director of the nonprofit CANDLE, Inc.. EIN 71-0962470. Mrs. Norris has been a civic leader all her adult life. She and her husband Charles raised their three sons in Butler, PA. In an effort to preserve the integrity of her community, when heroin first appeared in early 2000, Norma created the parent/child drug prevention program called Reality Tour that is now replicated in the U.S. Her talents have progressed as well as her influence in the prevention field.

How Passion Builds Drug Prevention Communities & Strengthens Families

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Cleveland Reality Tours

What could make someone leave their job of over 20 years? More money somewhere else? Relocating to a place with beautiful weather? For Norma Norris, the answer was simple: passion. She felt a calling to address the problem of drug use within her community. While having lunch with Norma she explained to me how she … Read more

Little Theaters Reimagined as Public Service Providers

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Little Theaters Reimagined as Public Service Providers

Live performances across the United States, have taken a huge hit in the past two years. While government grants aided some little theater groups, recovery has largely taken a long intermission. The little theater movement of the early 20th Century was a way to break away from constraints to accommodate freedom of expression previously unknown. … Read more

A Guide to Mental Health & Substance Abuse Among Teens

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The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports it is common for individuals with substance abuse problems to also have a mental health disorder. Mental health disorders and substance abuse share similar symptoms. Commonly shared symptoms include: decline in work/school performance, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, moodiness, dramatic weight loss or weight gain, loss … Read more

Alcohol Use Disorder: Prevention Begins at Home

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Underage Drinking May Lead to Alcohol Use Disorder More and more teens are developing Alcohol Use Disorder. Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager? Peer pressure, curiosity, and an urge to rebel are common factors that can lead to underage drinking. And recently, as remote learning and social distancing have become … Read more

Inhalant Use Disorder

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Preventing Inhalant Use Disorder in Teens   Inhalant use disorder is a rampant problem, especially among young people. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020 saw a 64% increase in inhalant use for 8th graders.  Many healthcare professionals attribute this unprecedented rise in inhalant abuse to the pandemic. Regardless of why teens have turned … Read more

Adderall

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Misuse in Adderall among teens is a rising trend, as students are taking Adderall without a prescription. Living the life of a teen or a college student, our surroundings can be tempting. We are in school systems that want our A-game. Exams, homework, presentations, and endless hours of studying is exhausting. We must manage our … Read more

Botvin LifeSkills Training & Reality Tour Comparison

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Life Skills Training Vs. Reality Tour  Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST), like Reality Tour, is an evidence-based curriculum for substance abuse prevention. Both programs have been proven to provide adolescents with the social skills necessary to withstand peer pressure, but there are some key differences. Let’s look at each program’s main components.  Botvin’s Life Skills Training … Read more

Drug Testing Strips: A Guide for Parents

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Urine testing your kids is a decision that parents should take seriously. Experts agree that testing teens for the wrong reasons can damage trust. However, under the right circumstances, drug tests can be a tool to prevent substance abuse or to help children recovering from addiction. As a parent, it is crucial that you educate … Read more