Artist Roger Dolin shares his experience working with teens at the Phoenix House Academy of Los Angeles to create a beautiful new mural.

From veterans who return home addicted to painkillers to the 2.7 million children currently on medication for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder, overmedication is invading all areas of health care in the United States. Medications are just one avenue we should offer to assist someone, and he or she should always be provided with adequate clinical and support services to help him or her achieve a better quality of life.

This month, we were thrilled – but not surprised – to learn that Phoenix House Academy of Los Angeles teacher Florence Avognon had been named as a California Teacher of Year. Throughout her 18-year career, Avognon has been the kind of educator who truly knows how to tap into students’ potential. Here, she shares the teaching philosophy that enables her to motivate and empower our kids.

When 15-year-old Alexis was five months pregnant, she was addicted to speed and weighed less than 100 pounds. When she miscarried her daughter, she hit rock bottom–and slowly began her journey to recovery.

Parents, through their words as well as their actions, instill values in their children. By demonstrating positive behaviors and articulating your reasoning in front of your kids (“No thanks, I can’t drink tonight—I’m driving”) you’re setting the stage for them to make their own smart choices later on.