Spring Break Tips, Sober Seder & Starbucks Gift Card

Keeping Teens Drug & Alcohol Free in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood & Riverwoods

March 2020

Introducing Officer Maldonado

Tips for a Safe Spring Break

Happy spring! I have been with the Deerfield Police Department for more than two years. Before joining the department, I was a fourth grade teacher in North Chicago. I am excited to combine both worlds through my new role as a Student Resource Officer for Deerfield Public Schools District 109. I also hope to strengthen the partnership between District 109 and the Deerfield Police Department.

With spring break around the corner, I wanted to share some helpful tips to ensure everyone has a fun, safe and relaxing break. Even though kids may earn more freedom over spring break, expectations should remain the same for both curfew and staying drug and alcohol-free. Kids need to have some plans for the week. Stretches of downtime are needed, but too much can lead to poor choices. Insist that your kids keep you informed of their whereabouts.

TIPS FOR A SAFE SPRING BREAK:

Take inventory of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs in your home. Consider locking it in a file cabinet or other locking cabinet.
Know your child’s agenda for the week. You should name at least two of your child's friends and the best way to reach them.
Have an honest conversation with your child about your expectations for spring break, especially if they are traveling without you.
Ask a responsible adult to stay at your home with your child (or at least check in periodically) if you're out of town.

Spring break is one week a year. Unfortunately, an unhealthy choice could last a lifetime.

Officer Lauren Maldonado

Deerfield Police Officer & Student Resource Officer for District 109

Espresso Your Thoughts

And Help Us a Latte! (for a Latte!)

DHS & HPHS Parents, take this 6 minute survey and be entered into a drawing for a $10 Starbucks gift card!

In 2019, parents said:

84% ask their teens where they're going
73% discuss the health risks of alcohol & drug use with their children
63% enforce a curfew with consequences
33% usually or always contact host parents before a party

What do you do? Please let us know so we can figure out what CTAD can do to further protect our youth and empower them to make drug-free choices. Five randomly selected parents will receive a gift card.

Find the survey at http://bit.ly/2020parentsurvey

TWO TRUTHS

Even though marijuana shows up more and more online, in TV , movies & music, this is not real life. While many people are influenced by what they see in the media, most teens still choose to be drug-free.

The message on the newest "Two Truths" poster encourages DHS & HPHS students to think critically about what they see and hear in the media. The marijuana awareness campaign provides students with facts based on science and research.

EVALI Update

New information from CDC on EVALI (E-cigarette & Vaping Associated Lung Injury):

82% of cases involve vaping THC from marijuana
52% of cases involve someone under the age of 24
1 in 6 patients bought THC vapes from legal sources, including medical and retail marijuana dispensaries.

It's important to note that 4 out of 5 DHS & HPHS students who vape also reported using marijuana , and that vaping is the No. 1 way our students choose to use marijuana (2018 Illinois Youth Survey). Click here for more local data and what you can do . Also see CTAD's Marijuana & Teens Guide for Parents & Guardians on why teens use and where they get it.

For more on EVALI, check the latest numbers from the CDC and t he Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) .

Sober Passover Recovery Seder

All are Welcome

North Shore Congregation Israel is hosting its second annual Community Recovery Seder on April 9, the second night of Passover. This alcohol-free experiential Seder (Passover meal and ritual) is intended for all who are journeying toward recovery, those in recovery, their loved ones and all allies of the recovery community.

Please note there is a fee to cover the cost of the meal. For questions related to the Passover Recovery Seder, please email Rabbi Ryan Daniels or call 847/835-0724. Registration is required online at nsci.org/communityrecoveryseder.

Questioning Media Claims as a Family

A 60 Second Conversation Starter

Althou gh there are restrictions on marijuana advertising, our kids hear about marijuana use in the music they listen to and in the shows they watch.

Join your child in listening to their favorite music (even if it's not your type!). Also watch some of their favorite shows.
Have an honest discussion. Ask: "Today's music and TV shows seem to normalize marijuana use. What do you and your friends think about how it's portrayed?"

Social media bots automatically generate messages on social media. They act as a follower or as a fake account. Researchers at USC analyzed tens of thousands of tweets and found that over half of medical claims on Twitter were tweeted by bots, perpetuating false claims about the medicinal benefits of marijuana.

Take a few minutes to sit down with your child and identify examples of misleading claims on your social media.
Explain how you sift through what is true, what is false and what credible sources you trust.
Teaching them not to accept what they see at face value will go a long way in how they view and process their social media, which can ultimately influence their offline behaviors.

Sources: Partnership for Drug Free Kids, USC Research News

F or additional ways to talk to your child, please see CTAD's Resource Guide.

It's not one 60-minute conversation.

It's 60 one-minute conversations.

Join Us in 2020!

CTAD's goal is to build and sustain a drug-free community in which youth feel protected, confident and empowered to make healthy choices. We strive to transform the environment around our youth to help make the drug-free choice the easy choice.

Donate

If you find our resources helpful, consider making a donation or contributing your time to our efforts. Contact us at 224-765-CTAD (847-765-2823) or info@CommunityTheAntiDrug.org .

Community - The Anti-Drug is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that consists of community members working together to build a safe, healthy & drug-free environment for our youth. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. EIN number: 451631475.

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).

Community - The Anti-Drug Coalition | 224-765-CTAD (224-765-2823)

info@CommunityTheAntiDrug.org | www.CommunityTheAntiDrug.org

Community -- The Anti-Drug (CTAD) strives to build and sustain a safe and drug-free community in which youth feel protected, confident and empowered to make healthy choices. The coalition is comprised of parents, youth, schools, local government, law enforcement, clergy, and healthcare providers who work together to reduce alcohol, marijuana and other drug use among youth in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood and Riverwoods, Illinois.

Grants have been generously provided by the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park, YEA! Highland Park, Highland Park Community Foundation, and the Highland Park Human Relations Commission. This newsletter was developed in part under grant number SP021482 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of ONDCP, SAMSHA or HHS and should not be construed as such.