FOCUS ON PREVENTION Coalition Corner CCSEC High School Graduation: Nostalgia, Excitment, Possibility, and Temptation! Contributed by: Carroll County Substance Education Coalition High school graduation is an important milestone in a young person's life, and the season is often marked with parties, outings, and other celebrations. During this time there are plenty of opportunities where teens may contemplate taking risks, especially drinking and drug use. At graduation time, teens may feel more pressure to celebrate by partying with illicit drugs, alcohol, or even prescription (Rx) drugs. Over the last several decades, scientific understanding and knowledge of the dangers of underage drinking and substance use have increased substantially. Underage substance use is associated with various negative consequences for youth, and can affect and endanger the lives of those around them (SAMHSA). Your teen may be graduating soon, but that doesn't mean it's time to let go. Your graduate needs you now just as much as ever. There are many ways to help keep your child safe and healthy: REINFORCE YOUR EXPECTATIONS. ENCOURAGE YOUR TEENS TO MAKE EACH MOMENT COUNT. PROVIDE SAFE ALTERNATIVES. BE AWARE AND ASK QUESTIONS. SET A GOOD EXAMPLE. Help kids celebrate in a safe and fun manner. Don't provide alcohol to teens or their friends, at graduation. Celebrations like graduation are high-risk times for underage drinking, and adults who believe it is okay to provide teens with alcohol. PARENTAL GUIDANCE REQUIRED PG TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT NOT DRINKING ALCOHOL ST 40% of Carroll County teens in 8th-12th Grades Reported Getting Alcohol From Their Parents WITH permission 22% Got alcohol from adults other than parents WITH their permission* *2018 Illinois Youth Survey For tips on planning teen celebrations, or information about how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol -visit our website at: www.drugfreecarrollcounty.com GET THE FACTS: For information on how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol - if you need help talking to your teens contact the Carroll County Substance Education Coalition at 815-244-0063 or email ccsec04@gmail.com. Funding for this message is awarded to the Carroll County Substance Education Coalition by SAMHSA's Drug Free Communities Grant. FOCUS ON PREVENTION Coalition Corner CCSEC High School Graduation : Nostalgia , Excitment , Possibility , and Temptation ! Contributed by : Carroll County Substance Education Coalition High school graduation is an important milestone in a young person's life , and the season is often marked with parties , outings , and other celebrations . During this time there are plenty of opportunities where teens may contemplate taking risks , especially drinking and drug use . At graduation time , teens may feel more pressure to celebrate by partying with illicit drugs , alcohol , or even prescription ( Rx ) drugs . Over the last several decades , scientific understanding and knowledge of the dangers of underage drinking and substance use have increased substantially . Underage substance use is associated with various negative consequences for youth , and can affect and endanger the lives of those around them ( SAMHSA ) . Your teen may be graduating soon , but that doesn't mean it's time to let go . Your graduate needs you now just as much as ever . There are many ways to help keep your child safe and healthy : REINFORCE YOUR EXPECTATIONS . ENCOURAGE YOUR TEENS TO MAKE EACH MOMENT COUNT . PROVIDE SAFE ALTERNATIVES . BE AWARE AND ASK QUESTIONS . SET A GOOD EXAMPLE . Help kids celebrate in a safe and fun manner . Don't provide alcohol to teens or their friends , at graduation . Celebrations like graduation are high - risk times for underage drinking , and adults who believe it is okay to provide teens with alcohol . PARENTAL GUIDANCE REQUIRED PG TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT NOT DRINKING ALCOHOL ST 40 % of Carroll County teens in 8th - 12th Grades Reported Getting Alcohol From Their Parents WITH permission 22 % Got alcohol from adults other than parents WITH their permission * * 2018 Illinois Youth Survey For tips on planning teen celebrations , or information about how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol -visit our website at : www.drugfreecarrollcounty.com GET THE FACTS : For information on how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol - if you need help talking to your teens contact the Carroll County Substance Education Coalition at 815-244-0063 or email ccsec04@gmail.com . Funding for this message is awarded to the Carroll County Substance Education Coalition by SAMHSA's Drug Free Communities Grant .