The dog days of summer have officially begun! Fear not as ACE has a few more cool evenings in store to make this season memorable. After successfully kicking off our Strike Out Inhalant Abuse program with the Reading Phillies (PA) and the Trenton Thunder (NJ), ACE is heading to Ohio to partner with the Akron Aeros.

ACE loves the great outdoors, but nothing beats watching America's greatest pastime-baseball. Next week, our Minor League Baseball partners will help promote awareness about inhalant abuse. The Strike Out Inhalant Abuse program is in its 2nd year and we would like to have you there in support!

ACE learned of Adam back in 2008 when his mother reached out to us for help. Back then Adam was huffing up to 12 to 15 cans of computer duster a day, not realizing with every inhalation he could have lost his life. Adam's mother says, "just like most parents, I had no knowledge that these types of products are being used to get high...drug education for my son didn't include inhalants. Inhalants weren't even on my radar.

During its 16 year existence, the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) has shown an unerring commitment to making our world safer for our youth. The collaborative network of more than 40 national organizations and federal agencies focuses on youth safety and health.

Even though it’s not our birthday, our friends are sending gifts. Los Angeles Unified School District sent us their new inhalant abuse toolkit. With support from the Office of the City Attorney, Los Angeles Police Department, National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and ACE the District was able to put together an awesome prevention resource. It is fully-loaded with important statistics, information and giveaways. Below are images of items in the toolkit.

Recently, the Today Show aired a special on inhalant abuse. While the segment addressed point of sale practices in retail establishments, the reality is that children can and will get their hands on whatever product they want because they are everywhere- in houses, kitchens, garages, decks, and schools across the country. And, children are abusing well over 1,400 common household products to get high. And while your children are familiar with inhalant abuse-are you? When was the last time you spoke to them about inhalant abuse prevention?

This summer ACE will take the field with four minor league baseball teams in our second annual Strikeout Inhalants program. We will partner with the Akron Aeros, New Britain Rock Cats, Reading Phillies, and Trenton Thunder. Each team is hosting an inhalant abuse awareness night during June and July, which means we may be in a town near you in the coming weeks.

My sister was born on November 1, 1972, and from what our mother told me, she was a delightful baby. I came along two and a half years later, and from my earliest memories, we always shared a wonderful sisterly bond. Of course we had our moments when those hormones kicked in during our teenage years, and we fought like cats and dogs. But we were always there for each other.

With Family Wellness Month in full swing, it is a great time to reflect on our physical, psychological and emotional health.

ACE is a foundation dedicated to community health and well being and upon which we have built our programs. For example, encouraging an informed family dialogue about the dangers of inhalant abuse promotes good health. To learn more about how to start a conversation on this issue, please click here.

On May 8th the ACE Clean mascot made his debut at a New Britain Rock Cats' Minor League Baseball game in Connecticut. Our new superhero character and game show host was created by the Alliance for Consumer Education to help educate people on keeping themselves and their families safe and healthy.