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

February 2022

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In this issue: Building Community | "I Had No Idea!" Parent Webinar | You Got This! New Poster | 60 Second Conversation Starter | Introducing the 2022 Board | Volunteer Spotlight: Scott Coren

Building Community Together with the Highwood Public Library The Highwood Public Library believes in building community through library service. This means that the library functions as a community center. We provide access to traditional library resources, engaging programs and opportunities for community collaboration.   As much as we love connecting eager readers to books, our priority is to create spaces where community members feel welcome and safe, both in the building and online. To do this, we develop language, health, financial, multicultural, and civic programs that enrich and empower all members of our community. We strive to build strong partnerships with school districts, social services, businesses, and community leaders to develop programs that support the community's literacy needs.    CTAD has a similar approach by engaging stakeholders from all community sectors. As a newly minted CTAD board member and the teen services librarian at the Highwood Public Library, I look forward to deepening the partnership between the library and CTAD. We all want to ensure that our youth thrive in a safe and healthy environment and engage in activities that promote the confidence and skills to succeed in school and work. To learn more about programming for all ages, visit Highwood Public Library’s event calendar. Rachel McMullen (she/her/hers) CTAD Board of Directors Teen Services Librarian | Marketing and Program Manager Highwood Public Library

"I Had No Idea!" The Relationship Between Marijuana & Teen Mental Health Wednesday, February 16 7:30 p.m. To Register: ihadnoidea.eventbrite.com "I was completely blindsided as to what was happening to my teen." - a local parent who watched their child experience a THC-induced psychotic episode Parents/guardians: Join Dr. Aaron Weiner to discuss the impact of marijuana on teens' mental health and what tangible steps parents can take to protect and support their children. Dr. Weiner will address: The risk of higher THC levels in today's marijuana How to talk with your teen Warning signs of use and what to do next How marijuana advertising manipulates teens 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 coalition Stand Strong, Deerfield Parent Network, Highwood Public Library and Baha'is of Highland Park.

You Got This! Being There as a Friend The latest You Got This! poster celebrates DHS and HPHS students who support their friends and peers by listening, looking out for each other and laughing together. They stay drug-free so they can step in when needed. Here are some ways they support their friends. You Got This! public service announcements (PSAs) at Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School appear via posters, video announcements, hallway monitors and on t-shirts worn by staff.  Community organizations and businesses may also request posters to display in their buildings.

Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It's simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of 'You're not alone.' -- Brené Brown, acclaimed researcher, bestselling author, storyteller & mom

It's not one 60-minute conversation. It's 60 one-minute conversations.

2022 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 beautiful 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 strong and our accomplishments a reality.

Minelle Amezquita Family Service of Lake County Jim Boyle † Village of Bannockburn Dr. Lilly Brandt † Township High School Dist 113 Shelley Byrnes * St. Gregory's Episcopal Church Carolyn Cerf * Highwood Chamber of Commerce Martin Clancy Lake County Health Department Scott Coren † City of Highwood

Vanessa Dugo Northwood Middle School Amy Hyndman † Highland Park Police Department Luisa Espinosa-Lara * Highland Park High School Karen Levi * Lake Co. State's Attorney's Office Al Maciareillo *† Riverwoods Police Department Lauren Maldonado * Deerfield Police Department Alesia Margetis † Highland Park High School Laura McCarty * Deerfield Park District

Rachel McMullen * Highwood Public Library 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

* New Board Member, † Executive Board Member, ‡ Honorary Director

Our heartfelt thanks for the time and energy given by our outgoing CTAD board members: Cindy Aronson, Dr. Holly Colin, Rheanna Hall, Nancy Nervick, Ghida Neukirch and Jeffrey Zalay.

Volunteer Spotlight: Co-President Scott Coren Highwood City Manager Scott Coren is a proven leader and terrific networker. His management skills are vital in overseeing and organizing CTAD's many moving parts, from grant management to volunteer outreach. Through his community-wide connections, Scott invited several new community leaders to the 2022 CTAD Board of Directors, and they accepted! They include: Rachel McMullen (this month's guest author), Carolyn Cerf and Karen Levi. With Scott's leadership and vision, CTAD helps ensure the best possible future for its youth.

Donate

Be a part of our amazing CTAD team. Will you consider contributing your time, creativity, unique skills, or a donation? 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. 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.