Keeping Teens Drug & Alcohol Free in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood & Riverwoods |
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In this Issue: Power of Community | Delta Youth Group | Starbucks Giveaway | Mental Health Awareness Fair | 60 Second Conversation Starter | Text-A-Tip Support Line | Coping with Traumatic Events
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For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families |
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Power of Community
An “anti-drug” is any motivator that helps youth avoid the temptation of drugs. It can be an internal factor like the desire to succeed or an external factor like family support. Anti-drugs are often activities like sports, clubs and creative pursuits. At CTAD, we believe our very own community is one of the best anti-drugs (hence our name: Community – The Anti-Drug). Our schools, parents, community leaders, local nonprofits, police and even the kids themselves help guide young people toward healthy choices, set them up for future success and support them when they struggle.
The strength of our community and how much we care for one another became even more apparent after the 4th of July attack in Highland Park. Parents scooped up children separated from their families, counselors donated services to help us cope with the trauma, hundreds contributed to fundraisers and thousands attended memorial services. Our law enforcement, government, schools, libraries and local businesses work to help us feel safer and connected to each other.
We are all on a healing journey, starting in different places, taking different paths and going different speeds. While CTAD is not a mental health service organization, many of our members are mental health professionals. They recommended resources for different age groups, which are listed at the bottom of this newsletter.
CTAD has over 100 volunteers and 30 partner organizations, all of whom are committed to support our youth, to help them feel protected, confident and empowered to make drug-free choices. While some teens may turn to alcohol or other drugs to help them cope with the emotions they are feeling, there are also many who will continue to be drug-free. Some of them are in CTAD’s youth group Delta. Delta students strive to inspire their peers by building a positive, supportive culture. Our Delta Presidents Norah and Eliza share their experience in the article below and encourage more teens to join.
CTAD's strength is our community and how much we care for one another. We are committed to our young people. If you are able, we welcome you to join us, make us stronger and help more of our youth have a strong, healthy future.
CTAD Executive Director
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For High School Families |
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Delta Youth Group Promotes Positive Change |
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I know that our community is reeling from the July shooting that tore wounds into our community. My heart goes out to all those impacted. We may not have the power to change the past, no matter how much we wish to, but Delta does its best to prevent future tragedies. From underage marijuana use to alcohol abuse at parties, we utilize a combination of data analytics and community outreach to reduce these harmful behaviors and to change mindsets within our community. We welcome your teen to join us and help us change our community for the better!
-Norah Liang, Delta HP President
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I am a part of Delta because it provides me with a space to create positive change within the community while having access to education that can help change people’s lives. Joining Delta as an underclassmen was an amazing decision because I was able to build friendships, work with others, and be an advocate for a Deerfield High School substance-free environment. Through this program, I have made lots of friends and learned skills that will benefit me for the rest of my life!
- Eliza Kalina, Delta DHS President
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For more information or if your teen is interested in joining contact:
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Espresso Yourself
Help Us a Latte (for a Latte!)
DHS & HPHS PARENTS -
Take this survey in less than 10 minutes and be entered in a drawing for a $10 Starbucks gift card! Five randomly selected parents will each receive one. Results help CTAD tailor resources for our community.
Starting this year, CTAD will only offer the parent survey every other year, so NOW is the time to espresso your voice or hold your latte until 2024!
From the 2021 CTAD parent survey:
- Most DHS & HPHS parents ask their teen where they're going, who they'll be with & what they're doing.
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While 80% of parents say they talk with their teen about alcohol and drugs, only half of their students say their parents talk to them about it. (2020 Illinois Youth Survey)
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For All Community Members |
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Cheer DHS Football & Support Mental Health
Glenbrook North High School (GBN) in partnership with CATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is hosting a Mental Health Awareness Football Game & Wellness Fair when GBN and Deerfield High School football teams match up on:
Friday, September 2nd, 6:30 p.m.
Glenbrook North High School football field
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For Elementary School, Middle School & High School Families |
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In Times of Trauma
60 Second Conversation Starter
When something traumatic happens, it can be challenging to meet children and teens where they are emotionally and help them sort through their wide-ranging and often confusing emotions.
- Connect with your child by first asking what they know and how they feel about it.
- Reassure them that you will openly accept their feelings and that it's ok to feel many different emotions at once.
- Encourage your child to write or draw their feelings, which may be easier for a young child or a teen who has a hard time expressing how they feel.
- Model self-care to your child by setting routines (which can be healing), limiting news and social media exposure, and engaging in healthy coping activities that bring joy, like a family dance party, a bike ride or a movie night.
- Help your child see the good by encouraging activities that support coming together as a community, like writing thank you notes to those who've helped or selling their own unique item(s) and donating proceeds to help the victims and their families.
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It's not one 60-minute conversation.
It's 60 one-minute conversations.
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For All Community Members |
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Help is Always a Text Away
Two ways teens can anonymously connect with a professional counselor:
- Text "224HELP" to 844-823-LEAD (5323)
- Download the app "Lake County Help"
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More Resources to Cope with Traumatic Events
Talking about tragic events with children & teens can be overwhelming and the conversation can vary depending on the age and developmental level of your child. Here are some helpful resources for parents/guardians recommended by our coalition partners:
By Age Group:
Community as a Whole:
Recursos en Espanol:
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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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