Keeping Teens Drug & Alcohol Free in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood & Riverwoods |
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In this Issue: Is it Soda or Alcohol? | Developing Emotional Stability | YOU MATTER campaign | 60 Second Conversation Starter | 2023 Board of Directors | Volunteer Spotlights
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For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families |
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Is it Soda or Alcohol?
Misleading & Confusing Packaging
When is a "spiked" drink alcoholic?
It depends on the manufacturer. For Coca-Cola products like Simply Lemonade, it DOES contain alcohol, but for Pepsi products like Mountain Dew, "spiked" does NOT contain alcohol (while "hard" does).
That's confusing! For parents, for kids and even shopkeepers who might mix up the products on the shelves.
The beverage market has seen an explosion of Ready to Drink (RTD) pre-made/mixed alcoholic beverages in brightly colored cans with youth-appealing names (like Hard Mountain Dew, Vizzy, and Cotton Candy Swirl). RTDs closely resemble the look and appeal of familiar sodas, seltzers and energy drinks.
RTDs are a way to introduce younger kids to an array of trendy alcoholic drinks that are cheap, sweet, heavily flavored and hide the taste of alcohol. Some teens may be attracted to RTDs as a way to hide alcohol use from their parents.
Globally RTDs are a $32 billion dollar market that is quickly expanding beyond spiked lemonades and hard Kombuchas to frozen cocktail ice pops and alcohol-infused ice creams and whip shots. In addition, RTDs boast "health" claims such as low calorie/carbs, zero/reduced sugar, organic, immunity boosting, and anti-inflammatory.
Know what your kids are drinking - look at labels carefully!
- Next time you shop, check out the soda and alcohol aisles and look where the Ready to Drink products are located.
- Are they near kid-friendly products?
- Are they in a different aisle from other alcohol products?
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If you notice something, be proactive by taking a photo and emailing it to the Illinois Liquor Commission. They want to know!
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For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families |
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Three Ways to Create Emotional Stability in a Changing World
Wednesday, March 8
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- How parents/guardians can create a sense of stability in unstable times
- Three principles to develop emotional stability during uncertainty, stress or trauma
- Ways teens can cope with changes rather than turn to alcohol or marijuana
Join Dr. Aaron Weiner as he addresses the state of youth mental health, the ongoing pressures of substance use, and how parents/guardians can work with their kids to build emotional resilience.
Dr. Weiner is a licensed, board-certified clinical psychologist specializing in addiction counseling and is in private practice. The presentation is co-hosted with neighboring drug prevention coalitions Stand Strong and Link Together.
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For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families |
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Health Matters. Decisions Matter.
Delta's YOU MATTER Campaign
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4 out of 5 DHS students say that a healthy body is important to them. Staying active, getting good sleep, and eating fruits and vegetables goes a long way in maintaining their health. Being drug-free helps keep their immune systems strong.
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83% of DHS & HPHS students say that staying in control is important to them. While there are a lot of things they can't control, being drug-free means staying alert and in control of their own decisions.
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The YOU MATTER campaign consists of PSAs throughout the high school buildings. Each encourages students to talk to someone if they are struggling or worried about a friend. Posters include information on a 24/7 text support line for those times a counselor, parent or other trusted adult isn't available. Help is always a text away for students of all ages.
Created by CTAD and Delta students, the YOU MATTER campaign reminds students how important they are and why being drug-free matters. Their health matters. Their decisions matter. Their future matters. Check out these Health Tips for Teens by Teens.
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For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families |
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Communicate with LOVE
Connect with Your Child
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, communicating with LOVE may start a healthy pattern that has real staying power for you and your child:
Listen -- Ask open-ended questions and reflect on what your child says
Offer -- Enlist the feedback sandwich by asking permission, providing information and requesting reactions
Validate-- Reinforce self-efficacy and trust
Empathize -- Don't be afraid to get into the "trenches" with your child
Be persistent but stay positive and don't get too discouraged. Short, frequent conversations will go a long way in staying connected with your child.
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It's not one 60-minute conversation.
It's 60 one-minute conversations.
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Check out Glenbard Parent Series for weekly free webinars on relevant topics presented by high-profile authors, educators and clinicians.
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For All Community Members |
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2023 Board of Directors
We applaud the dedication and commitment of our continuing and newly elected board members and those who served us in the past. It's amazing to see so many sectors of the community come together to care for our youth and ensure they have the best possible future. The investment of time and collective efforts of these volunteers make us stronger and our accomplishments a reality.
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Jamie Allene-Lorenz *
Highwood Chamber
Anacany Berrara *
Family Service of Lake Co.
Jim Boyle †
Village of Bannockburn
Dr. Lilly Brandt †
Township High School Dist 113
Shelley Byrnes
St. Gregory's Episcopal Church
Martin Clancy
Lake County Health Department
Scott Coren
City of Highwood
Vanessa Dugo
Northwood Middle School
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Luisa Espinosa-Lara †
Highland Park High School
Jennifer Ginopolis *†
Township High School Dist 113
Amy Hyndman †
Highland Park Police Department
Karen Levi
Lake Co. State's Attorney's Office
Al Maciareillo †
Riverwoods Police Department
Lauren Maldonado
Deerfield Police Department
Laura McCarty
Deerfield Park District
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John Norris
Village of Riverwoods
Dr. Laura Parise
NorthShore University HealthSystem
Harriet Rosenthal ‡
Village of Deerfield
Nancy Rotering ‡
City of Highland Park
Eric Steckling
Deerfield Public Schools Dist 109
Kent Street †
Village of Deerfield
Walt Trillhaase
Bannockburn Police Department
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* New Board Member, † Executive Board, ‡ Honorary Director
Our heartfelt thanks for the time and energy given by our outgoing CTAD board members: Carolyn Cerf, Alesia Margetis and Rachel McMullen. And special thanks to outgoing Co-President Scott Coren who is continuing on as a board member.
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For All Community Members |
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Volunteer Spotlights: Sophie Engerman & Anthony Lopez |
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Deerfield High School student and Delta member Sophie Engerman deeply cares about the mission and image of Delta and is quick to volunteer to help the organization in any way she can during lunchtime activities and after school.
"For spring break I'm traveling to Cancun, Mexico with my friends and parents. I'm excited to spend time with my friends and be stress-free by taking walks on the beach, playing volleyball, and chilling by the pool. My friends and I choose to be drug-free to remain healthy as well as strong students and athletes!' - Sophie
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Highland Park High School student and Delta member Anthony Lopez brings a unique set of leadership tools that help Delta connect with the school community. He has organized groups to assist with Red Ribbon Week activities and has attended outside events to further educate himself and others on being drug-free. |
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We celebrate all of our extraordinary volunteers!
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Be a part of our amazing CTAD team. Will you consider contributing your time, creativity, unique skills, or a donation? Learn how to make a difference by joining one of our committees!
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Text-a-Tip: 24/7 anonymous support for students who need help for themselves or a friend. To connect with a trained counselor, download the app "Lake County Help" in the Apple Store or Google Play. You can also text the code "224HELP" or "224AYUDAME" to 844-823-LEAD (5323).
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Community - The Anti-Drug (CTAD) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN 451631475). Our coalition of volunteers and community organizations strive to reduce alcohol, marijuana and other drug use among youth in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood and Riverwoods, Illinois. Funding is generously provided by the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park, other foundations/organizations, individual donors and a Drug Free Communities grant from the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views, opinions and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect our funders' views, opinions or policies.
Parents/guardians of youth in High School District 113: You opted in to receive these monthly newsletters during school registration and may unsubscribe any time.
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