Supporting Our Kids' Healthy Fun

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

April/May 2025

For Spanish, click here. / Para español, haga clic aquí.

In this Issue: Supporting Healthy, Substance-Free Fun | 60 Second Conversation Starter | Drug-Free Because YOU CARE | Introducing our 2025-2026 Coalition Board

For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families

Keeping our Kids Safe &

Supporting Healthy, Substance-Free Fun

With end of the year celebrations upon us, kids may be faced with more opportunities to engage in risky behaviors.

While most of our students choose to be drug-free, the temptation can be strong. Here are some reminders on how parents/guardians can protect their kids:

• Keep the lines of communication open with these age-appropriate talking tips that show your child you care and are on their side. At every age, continue praise and encourage your child for what they do well and the positive choices they make.

• Planning a get together at your home? Email the guests' parents ahead using this sample email to lay the ground rules, reinforce your expectations and give peace of mind to the other parents. When your teen is a guest at an after party, check their bags for "hidden" items before they leave so it isn't all on the host to catch everything.

Support your child and their friends in ways they can engage in healthy, fun, and substance-free activities:

• Serve up some festive, fun drinks or encourage your child and their friends to create their own customized dirty sodas or try out a few smoothie and bubble tea recipes. Just top them off with colorful BOBA straws!

• DHS seniors can join more than 90% of their classmates at the 18th Annual DHS The After Party for a substance-free, late night celebration immediately following the DHS prom on Saturday, May 17th. It's a free evening, open to ALL DHS seniors, and features giant inflatables, caricature artists, and raffle prizes.

• HPHS seniors can grab their friends and meet up for late night, substance-free fun at the HPHS After Prom, which immediately follows the HPHS prom on Saturday, May 17th. It's free to ALL HPHS seniors and features late night bites, casino games, and raffle prizes.

• Check out our teen-approved party tool kit of safe activities and venues created by DHS & HPHS students in collaboration with local parents.

By keeping the lines of communication open, our kids can safely enjoy their get togethers and end of the year celebrations!

Conversation starters in our Family Resource Guide (English) and en español can help parents navigate many topics.

For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families

Talk About Alcohol Early and Often

60 Second Conversation Starter

Research shows talking to your child early, often, and age appropriately about drinking does make an impact with your child and delays alcohol use.

Here are 5 conversation goals that can help in having those 60 second conversations with your child.

It's not one 60-minute conversation.

It's 60 one-minute conversations.

For High School Families

"Drug-Free Because YOU CARE"

DHS & HPHS Awareness Campaign

The latest poster in the "Drug-Free Because YOU CARE" campaign celebrates the 83% of DHS & HPHS students who agreed with the statement "I want to make a difference," reinforcing the importance of having ongoing conversations with your child. By making the connection between making a positive impact and drug-free choices, the campaign hopes to increase students' personal motivation to stay drug-free.

For All Community Members

Introducing our 2025-2026 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 our coalition stronger and our accomplishments a reality.

Board Members

Scott Coren

City of Highwood

Vanessa Dugo

Northwood Middle School

Karen Levi

Lake Co. State's Attorney's Office

Lauren Maldonado

Deerfield Police Department

John Norris

Village of Riverwoods

Dr. Laura Parise

NorthShore University HealthSystem

Alyssa Robbins

JCFS Response Center

Eric Steckling

Deerfield Public Schools Dist 109

Lisa Vasquez

HPHS Parent

Dale Weshinskey

Bannockburn Police Department

Executive Board Members

Jim Boyle

Village of Bannockburn

Martin Clancy

Lake County Health Department

Doni Escalante

Deerfield High School

Jennifer Ginopolis

Township High School Dist 113

Suzan Hawkinson

First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield

Al Maciareillo

Riverwoods Police Department

Kent Street

Village of Deerfield

Honorary Board Members

Harriet Rosenthal

Village of Deerfield

Nancy Rotering

City of Highland Park

Our heartfelt thanks for the time and energy given by our outgoing Board Members: Erika Berdell, Dr. Lilly Brandt, Luisa Espinosa-Lara, Amy Hyndman, Jamie Allene Lorenz, and Walt Trillhaase.

We celebrate all of our extraordinary volunteers!

Read all about them in our volunteer spotlights.

Donate

Be a part of our amazing 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.

Support is Always Available: Students who are struggling or worried about a friend are encouraged to talk to a counselor, parent, or other trusted adult. When they aren't available, or it just doesn't feel right for the situation:

· Check this list of free, 24/7 confidential support lines

· Support options via text, phone, online chat or email

· Bookmark the page so it's there when you need it

Community - The Anti-Drug 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.