Keeping Teens Drug & Alcohol Free in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood & Riverwoods
December 2023
In this Issue: When Their Friend Drinks or Uses Drugs | Is it Coffee, Tea or Alcohol? | #1 Reason DHS & HPHS Students are Drug-Free | Hot Chocolate Charcuterie
If you find our resources helpful, please consider donating or volunteering with CTAD this giving season. We rely on donations and grants to promote positive, drug-free choices at a time when our youth are often bombarded by social media messaging promoting spiked drinks, flavored vapes and THC candies. Donations are tax deductible.
For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families
When Your Child's Friend Uses Alcohol or Other Drugs:
What You Can Say and Do

The odds are your child will be exposed to alcohol or other drug use in social settings or at a friend's house. It's never too early to start conversations around alcohol and drug misuse, especially with the threat of unintentional fentanyl poisoning on our minds.

Talking to your child openly and often about alcohol and other drugs can build trust through an honest dialogue. Here are some examples of what you can say and do when they are concerned about a friend misusing alcohol or other drugs.

Sympathize with the challenge of caring for their friend.
“I know you care a lot about your friend and are scared for them. It’s hard to accept that you can’t control or cure their drug use. It’s hard to know what to do.” 

"No one should try to help alone." 
“Helping someone who is in trouble with drugs is a bigger job than one person can handle. By telling an adult, you are getting them the help they need.”  
Suggest that your child tell you or another trusted adult what they’ve seen, or have them contact a support line like Text-A-Tip. They can also contact JCFS Chicago Access for treatment and support resources.

"Drug use is dangerous and can go badly fast." 
“You are being a good friend by telling them you are concerned. Good friends look out for each other’s safety."

Help them find the words to express their concern to their friend.  
They can say, “We’ve been friends a long time and I care about you. I’m really worried about you and what you’re doing these days. Can I help you get help?”

Boundaries are good and keep your child safe.  
"You have the right to set boundaries with a friend who is using by choosing not to be with them at those times."

It's important to start age-appropriate conversations early with your child so they have the skills and confidence to cope when faced with a friend in a troubling situation.
Beth Fishman, PhD, Program Manager, JCFS Chicago Addiction Services
Alyssa Robbins, MPH, Manager Outreach and Community Education,
For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families
Is it Coffee, Tea or Alcohol?
Look at Labels Carefully

Similar to the alcoholic Mountain Dew and Simply Lemonade highlighted in our February article Is it Soda or Alcohol?, Dunkin' Donuts is joining the growing market of Ready to Drink (RTD) pre-mixed alcoholic beverages. The new line is designed to mimic their popular lattes and iced teas, with flavors like Mango Pineapple, Strawberry Dragonfruit and Caramel Iced Coffee.

The strong flavoring can mask the taste of alcohol and they are inexpensive, making it more tempting for youth to try. Because the packaging closely resembles their other products, young people are more likely to be tempted and parents are less likely to notice. Watch for the word "Spiked" in the iconic pink, bubble letters usually associated with kid-friendly treats.

If your child mentions drinks like these, use it as an opening to talk to them about your expectations and the impact alcohol can have on youth and their developing brain.

For Middle School & High School Families
Most DHS & HPHS Students Want to Keep Their Bodies Healthy

There are many reasons our youth make drug-free choices. The most common reason reported by DHS & HPHS students is to keep their bodies healthy. Most of them believe it's harmful, physically or in other ways, to drink alcohol (82%) or use marijuana (73%).

This year's awareness campaign at DHS & HPHS highlights reasons why most students choose to be drug-free. Whether your child is in high school or middle school, you can help reinforce their good choices by asking about their reasons.
For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families
Did Someone Say Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board?
Role Model Festive Fun for Everyone

While teens are four times more likely to drink alcohol if their parents report frequent drinking*, families can also role model having fun without alcohol.

Here are two ways to have festive, fun holiday cheer with a non-alcoholic twist. Any guest who cannot or chooses not to drink alcohol will be really thankful.

  • At your family's holiday gathering, role model Festive Fun for Everyone by offering a sparkling variety of festive, non-alcoholic sodas, fizzes and refreshers.


*Frequent drinking defined as drinking 5 or more days per month
It's not one 60-minute conversation.
It's 60 one-minute conversations.
2023-2024 Programming for All Parents/Guardians
Check out Glenbard Parent Series for weekly free webinars on relevant topics presented by high-profile authors, educators and clinicians.
For All Community Members
Join CTAD's Communications Committee

  • Do you love to write or edit?
  • Are you a social media maven?
  • Do you want to connect with others in our community who value our youth?

If one or more of these describes you, we invite you to join CTAD's communications committee. At the moment, members include involved parents, communications directors and a drug prevention specialist. Help us promote our programs and resources with your creativity and ideas.

For more information on how to join us, click HERE.
We celebrate all of our extraordinary volunteers!
Read all about them in our volunteer spotlights.
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.
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 (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.

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