As the new administration takes office in Springfield, the topic of the commercialization of marijuana will become more heated.  Learn more about what this could mean for our youth. 

National experts will be on hand to discuss lessons learned from states that have legalized marijuana and will educate us on the difference between legalization, decriminalization and commercialization, as well as the impact the proposed policy would have on our community.  Experts include:

• Kevin Sabet, CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and former drug policy adviser to President Obama;
• Dale Quigley, Deputy Coordinator, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) 
• Charmaine and James Hays, community activists from Compton, California
• Dr. Aaron Weiner, Director of Addiction Services, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health

Date: Wednesday, January 30
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Adlai E. Stevenson High School,
1 Stevenson Dr., Lincolnshire - West Auditorium
* Please park in Lot B or E and enter via Point Entrance

For more information on this event and/or to register, please click here.

If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Jamie Epstein at jepstein@standstrongcoalition.org.

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January 11, 2019

[Podcast] Listen as Positive Alternatives interviews Adlai E. Stevenson High School Catalyst Club members Vrushai Thakkar, Carson Ezell, and Victor Shi. The students were interviewed by Doug Petit and featured on his local podcast named "Positive Alternatives" regarding the push to legalize marijuana in our state.

Positive Alternatives is "a podcast for parents and teens intended to inform, share real life stories, and initiate conversations in the family regarding underage drinking and drug use. The podcast is hosted by Doug Petit who has spoken to well over 100,000 parents and teens about the perils of poor choices when it comes to alcohol and drugs."

"Catalyst teens are associated with Stand Strong Coalition, a DFC Coalition out of the Lincolnshire, Il. area. Sit back, listen, and enjoy the conversation."

Listen here => http://posalt.libsyn.com/positive-alternatives-32

To learn more about the Positive Alternatives organization, visit their website.

While the summer season is considered a "break" from studies, Catalyst students are committed to continuing to advocate for teen health by meeting with local, county, and state officials. On Friday, July 13, Catalyst students Vrushali Thakkar, Noelle Kurien, and Alex Zhou met with Lanetta Haynes Turner, Deputy Chief of Staff, Cook County, IL for Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle to discuss why the commercialization of marijuana is detrimental to the health of youth.

While advocating and educating our community is critical to combating teen substance abuse, continuing to educate our coalition and exposing these education opportunities to Catalyst members is just as important. Every year, members of Stand Strong Coalition and Catalyst students travel to CADCA's Mid-year training to learn, share, and connect with coalitions nationwide, and in turn they bring back this knowledge to the rest of the Stand Strong and Catalyst members. This year, nine Catalyst students attended this year's conference held July 15 through 19th in Orlando, Florida. 

Stand Strong Coalition and Catalyst is committed to educating and advocating on behalf of teen health in our communities.

 by In September 2017, #Catalyst SHS students met with State Senator Julie Morrison to advocate on behalf of all youth.  They discussed the risks of e-cigarette use among youth and shared the benefits of Tobacco21 in Illinois.
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As a result of their meeting, Stevenson Catalyst Club members Borler Wu, Katherine Yao, Melissa Hauptman, and Ashleigh Machado traveled to Springfield this past Tuesday, January 30 where they participated in a press conference which included Illinois lawmakers Senator Julie Morrison, Senator John G. Mulroe, State Representative Camille Y. Lilly, State Representative Melissa Conyears-Ervin, American Heart Association - Illinois, and other health organizations to propose raising the tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21 statewide by passing Senate Bill 2332.

The premise of the law is simple: Teens and young adults are likely to quit smoking, or never start, if they have to ask those 21 and older to buy cigarettes for them.

Catalyst member Borler Wu spoke at the press conference and continued to make the case for #Tobacco21 on behalf of Illinois youth everywhere.

Catalyst members then met with local legislatures to continue discussions about the proposed bill, including Senator Morrison, Senator Dan McConchie, State Representative Scott Drury, and State Representative Nick Sauer.

We are incredibly proud of the advocacy work Catalyst students are doing, and we will continue to support them on their goal to have the Tobacco 21 bill passed.

Stand Strong Coalition will be hosting a 2 part series on the proposed legalization of recreational marijuana and what the implications can mean to our youth and community.

Join us for Part 1 on Thursday, January 11 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lincolnshire Village Hall with special guest speaker Dr. Aaron Weiner, Director of Addiction, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health.

Be sure to save the date for Part 2 of this special series scheduled for Thursday, February 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lincolnshire Village Hall. We look forward to learning from Kuei Yuan Tseng, MD, PhD of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Dr. Tseng will will share his research on marijuana and the teen brain with attendees.

We specifically scheduled an event during the day and in the evening to make it easier for community members to attend at least one event. 

As always, Stand Strong Coalition is committed to continue providing community education so that we can all make informed decisions regarding the future of our communities.

On Thursday, December 14, 2017, Catalyst Middle School students worked to make our communities safer with officers representing Lake County IL Sheriff's, Village of Lincolnshire Police Department, and Vernon Hills Police Department. A sincere thank you for their time and commitment to making our communities safe by participating in the Sticker Shock campaign! 

What is Sticker Shock?
A Sticker Shock Campaign is a project where the community, youth, police and alcohol retailers all work together to combat minors obtaining access to alcohol. With these sectors partnering, they create a message, which is then printed onto stickers and placed on products in stores. The messaging is geared towards adults to stop them from purchasing alcohol for minors.

Students received a bundle of tags that said “Don't Buy for Minors.” The students would place as many tags as they could all over multi-packs of alcohol beverages to shock the community and get them to ask questions and discuss the dangers of underage drinking.

The Sticker Shock program is well aligned with the Stand Strong's mission to provide youth the protective factors needed to help make positive decisions for their future. The mission of the growing Catalyst program at both the middle school and high school level is to educate, provide informal counseling, and safety to students and teachers. 

Dear Community Members,

As we approach the holidays, we get so caught up in buying the perfect gifts, decorating the house, and entertaining relatives, that we sometimes forget about making sure our teens are safe. However, the holidays can be a time of high risk for teens in terms of alcohol and drug use. It can start with “Blackout Wednesday,” which is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving when college students come home and get together with high school friends. This night is often associated with binge drinking to the point of losing memory or “blacking out.” According to the Sun Times, in the Chicago suburbs, Blackout Wednesday can be a more popular drinking night than New Year’s Eve or St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday break can also be a high-risk time as elementary, middle school, and college students have more free time and celebrations are in full swing. Consider sharing the gift of your undivided time and attention to connect with your teens.
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Social Hosting
Remember, it is illegal to host a party for those under 21 years of age regardless of whether you purchased the alcohol or not. Violations not only include your home but property(s) that you rent as well, such as a hotel room, banquet hall, a limousine, etc. If someone is injured or killed as a result of the social hosting, you run the risk of being charged with a Class 4 felony and sentenced to between 1 and 3 years imprisonment and up to $25,000 in fines. You would also face the risk of being sued in civil court. Again, the onus of the social host violation rests on the adult(s). The law assumes that you know the happenings in your home(s)—even if you are away. It is imperative to take all precautions necessary to prevent alcohol from being consumed by minors in your home or property.

Teenage Brain
Science has proved that the teenage brain continues to develop until the age of 25. What does that statement imply? Simply that this is the last time your child’s brain will grow this extensively, and any alcohol and drug use can harm this process. It is vital for parents and frankly any adult, to keep these young and developing minds safe from the risks and consequences of underage drinking and drug use. Science has given us the power to make new, more informed choices when it comes to how we parent these young brain factories. Here are some important tips to help you keep your teen(s) alcohol and drug-free:

• Set clear “no use” expectations with your child. They may not always make the right choices and control their impulses, but they must be able to practice making healthy decisions within the framework of a clear set of rules and expectations.
• Teach your children that alcohol or drugs are not ingredients for a good time at a party.
• If you have alcohol in your home, make sure to monitor it or even better, lock it up. Also, lock up your prescription drugs and make sure to dispose of any unused or expired prescription drugs at your local police station.
• Get to know your child’s friends — and their friends’ parents.
• Know your teens' whereabouts at all times, who they spend time with, and their social plans.
• Make sure that if you have older children that they understand it is against the law to provide alcohol to a minor. 

Most of the youth in our community do NOT drink alcohol. It is not a rite of passage. Teens report that PARENTS are the number #1 reason for not drinking! Please take the time to talk to your child. They really do listen!

For more information about underage drinking and drug prevention or how to host an alcohol-free party, please subscribe to our site or follow us on Facebook. Wishing everyone a very happy and safe holiday season.

Happy holidays,
Stand Strong Coalition and Catalyst Club

Join us on Sunday, October 22, 2017 for the 2nd annual SeanB 3on3 Basketball Tournament. This popular community event is designed to raise awareness about youth drug and alcohol prevention and intervention services. 

Students and adults are invited to form a basketball team consisting of 3-4 players and register to participate for this tournament which will take place in the Sports Center at Adlai E. Stevenson High Schoo. Registration ends on Monday, October 9.

Participants can register to play in one of the following age divisions*:

• 8th Grade and under
• Freshman
• Sophomore 
• Varsity (Juniors & Seniors)
• Adult 18 +

​*Brackets subject to change based on registration

100% of the proceeds from this tournament will benefit Live4Lali and the SHS Catalyst Club which will use the funds to educate the community about the risks associated with prescription drug abuse. The tournament was organized to remember 2008 SHS grad Sean Bardos (1990-2015) and to provide drug addition awareness to the community. This is event is sponsored by the SHS CatalystClub in conjunction with Live4Lali and Stand Strong Coalition.

Stand Strong Coalition is excited to announce that we will once again be offering the very informative and popular event - Not My Kid?! - Let's Keep the Conversation Going.... for the third year in a row.

Gain new insights into hot topics relevant to your teen's exposure to alcohol and marijuana use; including:

• How to navigate teen social events (i.e.: Homecoming, Winter Formal, Graduation Parties, Spring Break, Prom).

• How to help your teen gracefully manage challenging social situations.

• How the current laws (i.e.: curfew, legal ages, social hosting) affect your teen and you.

• The vaping craze and what you need to know about e-cigarettes.

Also featured: STAY OUT OF MY ROOM - A mock teen bedroom offering clues to parents about what to look for or notice for drug/alcohol use.
Expert Panelists include:    

• Cristina Cortesi, Ph.D., Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, Stevenson High School
• Troy Gobble, Principal, Stevenson High School
• Claudia Kasten, Chief of the Juvenile Division, Lake County State's Attorney's Office
• Dr. Adam Rubenstein, MD, SC, Addiction Specialist, Advocate Condell Medical Center
• Luisa Dahlstedt, Current Stevenson High School Student
• Additional panelists to be announced soon.

This very informative and relevant event continues to grow each year and is a huge success. We are confident that you will walk away as an informed and engaged parents. This event is free and we encourage parents and community members to register today and stay informed. Registration via Eventbrite http://bit.ly/2vy5YAg .

Adlai E. Stevenson High School Catalyst members attended the #CADCAYouth Leadership conference held July 23 through 27 in Atlanta, GA. Catalyst members collaborated, trained, and finally presented their final Youth In Action Plans on their final day to the entire audience. They're excited to share what they learned with fellow students and community members!

Nearly 2,000 substance abuse prevention and treatment specialists from around the world will convene in Atlanta, July 23 – 27 for CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) 16th annual Mid-Year Training Institute. The week-long training, held at the Marriott Marquis, aimed to teach attendees how to address one of our nation’s biggest public health challenges – drug use.

"It is evident that there are issues we face in our communities and there has never been a time like the present for youth to rise to leadership roles in their coalitions. CADCA's Youth Leadership Training Courses develop critical thinking skills in youth and equips them with necessary tools to help your coalition achieve community-level change. Our training empowers young people to take youth-led civic action in their communities. Coalitions across the country are sending their youth through the rigors of these courses to help them work together more effectively." ~ CADCA

Catalyst Members Youth Leadership Tracks included:

The Key Essentials Course equips participants with the foundational tools needed to take the first steps in solving their communities’ problems around drugs, underage drinking, prescription drugs and other social ills using the Strategic Prevention Framework.
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The Advanced Course is only open to coalitions who have completed the Key Essentials Course and are committed to taking their work a step further. A deeper focus is placed on Leadership, Advocacy and Policy and Intervention Strategies. Teams had to submit products prior to attending the event such as: Coalition Community Assessment (with data), Logic Model (with data), Youth In Action Project. 

KEY ESSENTIALS OBJECTIVES

• Become more engaged Youth Leaders
• Learn and apply the Strategic Prevention Framework process
• Learn and apply components of a Community Assessment
• Conduct a Problem Analysis
• Learn the 7 Behavioral Change Strategies for a Comprehensive Intervention
• Develop an Action Plan for next steps for a "Youth- In-Action" Project

ADVANCED OBJECTIVES

• Demonstrate Key Leadership Skills via critical thinking applications and oral presentations
• Learn to define Community Problems using quantitative and qualitative data 
• Identify Environmental Strategies that impact community-level change
• Develop an Action Plan to support implementation of their youth-led projects
• Develop effective Advocacy Skills for Policy Change 

We encourage everyone to learn more about these amazing leaders of tomorrow and the Catalyst Club by visiting their page on the Stevenson website! You may also contact the club's sponsors Dr. Cristina Cortesi, Stevenson Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator or Jamie Epstein, Executive Chair of Stand Strong Coalition.

Prom is here, which for teens, means gowns and/or tuxes, and a night-of photo shoots complete with way too many selfies and Snap Chats.

For parents, it could mean a good deal of worry—worry about whether their kids will have fun, whether they'll drive safely, and whether they’ll cave into any potential peer pressure.

Please don't underestimate the potential for a prom night car accident. If you're a parent of a teenager, consider this:

• More than half of students admit to consuming more than four drinks on prom night.
• And a whopping 90 percent of teenagers believe their classmates will likely drink on prom night.

The following are some tips for parents to help their teens remain safe and alcohol-free.

1. EXPLAIN THE RISKS. Learn and explain the risks of underage drinking. Emphasize that drinking alcohol is not a "rite of passage" but a dangerous drug for a developing brain.
2. SET CLEAR RULES. Set clear rules about no alcohol use. Be specific: "Absolutely no underage drinking in our family."
3. MAKE YOUR POSITION ON DRINKING AND DRIVING CLEAR. It might seem like what you tell your teen goes in one ear and out the other, but we want to reassure you: Your opinion matters. Studies have shown that parents absolutely have an impact on how their children view and treat alcohol. So broach the matter of underage drinking, and let them know your stance on drinking and driving or getting into a vehicle with someone who does.
4. GET THE DETAILS. Know where your teen will be and where. Ask them about their transportation plans—not just to prom, but after prom, as well.
5. GIVE THEM A PLAN B. It's important to understand that even if your teen opts not to drink, you can't count on their classmates to do the same. That's why it's important to let your son or daughter know that it's OK to call or text you—or summon an Uber of Lyft—for a safe ride home if they find themselves in a position where they are with a driver who has been drinking.
6. DON'T BE THAT "COOL" PARENT. You know the one we mean: The mom or dad who allows their kids—and their friends—to drink at home. The rationale is often, "Kids are gonna drink on prom night, and if they do it here, I'll be able to make sure they do so safely."

• Others may think it's OK to celebrate the evening with a celebratory champagne toast. We can't stress enough what a bad idea this is. There are serious consequences to serving minors, and it's important that you understand them.
• If you're not familiar with Illinois or local underage drinking laws, we have information about those, as well as other resources on our website.

We hope this prom season is a safe and happy one for all of the students of Adlai E. Stevenson High School.

Saturday, April 29 the Lincolnshire Police Department, Buffalo Grove Police Department, and Long Grove Fire Department participated in the national ​DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day initiative and it was a huge success. The Lincolnshire Police collection netted 124.5 pounds of unused prescription drugs.

Safe Disposal to Reduce Drug Abuse Among Adolescents and Teens
Safe disposal of prescription medications, whether on drug take-back day or at a permanent drug disposal drop box prevents these potentially dangerous drugs from falling into the wrong hands and risk being abused.

The fact is, many teens mistakenly think medicines in the home medicine cabinet are safer to abuse than illegal drugs. Safely disposing of unwanted and expired medicines using a take-back program keeps these medicines out of the hands of teens.

Did You Know?

• An alarming number of Lake County, Illinois teens (ages 12 - 17) abuse prescription drugs not prescribed to them - 10% (1).
• Home medicine cabinets have become the new drug dealer. Over half of teens abusing medicines get them from a family member or friend, often without their knowledge.

Bottom line is, from parents, to grandparents, to neighbors, to parents of our kids friends - we have the power to make a significant impact and decrease prescription drug abuse among our youth.

Many thanks to everyone that cleaned out their medicine cabinets and properly dispensed of unused or expired prescription drugs. Thank you as well to Dr. Cristina Cortesi, Substance Abuse Coordinator, School Resource Officer Rick Coakley of Adlai E. Stevenson High School , and SSC Executive Director Jamie Epstein for their time and dedication to the safety of our community.

The adolescent and teenage years are a vulnerable time of life as teens attempt to navigate the precarious bridge between childhood and adulthood. And one of the most challenging decisions, for an age group that’s ill-prepared to make difficult choices, is whether to start using alcohol or drugs.

​Needless to say, it is important for you, as parents, to understand some of the core issues and influences behind the detrimental behavior of teenage drug and alcohol use. 

1. People Around Them. Teenagers see lots of people consuming various substances. They see their parents and other adults drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and, sometimes, trying other substances. Unfortunately, a teenager’s social scene often revolves around drinking and smoking marijuana. Sometimes friends urge one another to have a drink or smoke pot, but it’s just as common for teens to start trying a substance because it’s readily available and they see all their peers enjoying it. In their minds, they see drug use as a part of the normal teenage experience.

2. Digital and Print Media. Forty-five percent of teens agree with the statement: “The music that teens listen to makes marijuana seem cool.” And 45 percent of teens agree with the statement “Movies and TV shows make drugs seem like an ok thing to do.” (PATS 2012) All the more reason for parents to be aware of the media that your son or daughter is consuming and talk to them about it.

3. Escape and Self-Medication. When teens are unhappy and can’t find a healthy outlet for their frustration or a trusted confidant, they may turn to harmful substances for comfort. Depending on the substance they choose to try, they may feel blissfully oblivious, wonderfully happy or energized and confident. The often rough teenage years can take an emotional toll on children, sometimes even causing depression, so when teens are given a chance to take something to make them feel better, many can’t resist. For example, some teens abuse prescription medicine to manage stress or regulate their lives. Sometimes they abuse prescription stimulants (used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) to provide additional energy and the ability to focus when they’re studying or taking tests. Others are abusing prescription pain relievers and tranquilizers to cope with academic, social or emotional stress.

4. Boredom. Teens who can’t tolerate being alone, have trouble keeping themselves occupied or crave excitement are prime candidates for substance use. Not only do alcohol and marijuana give them something to do, but those substances help fill the internal void they feel. Further, they provide a common ground for interacting with like-minded teens, a way to instantly bond with a group of kids.

5. Rebellion. Different rebellious teens choose different substances to use based on their personalities. Alcohol is the drug of choice for the angry teenager because it frees him to behave aggressively. Methamphetamine, or meth, also encourages aggressive, violent behavior, and can be far more dangerous and potent than alcohol. Marijuana, on the other hand, often seems to reduce aggression and is more of an avoidance drug. Some teens abuse prescription medicine to party and get high. LSD and hallucinogens are also escape drugs, often used by young people who feel misunderstood and may long to escape to a more idealistic, kind world. Smoking cigarettes can be a form of rebellion to flaunt their independence and make their parents angry. The reasons for teenage drug-use are as complex as teenagers themselves.

6. Instant Gratification. Drugs and alcohol work quickly. The initial effects feel really good. Teenagers turn to drug use because they see it as a short-term shortcut to happiness.

7. Lack of Confidence. Many shy teenagers who lack confidence report that they’ll do things under the influence of alcohol or drugs that they might not otherwise. This is part of the appeal of drugs and alcohol even for relatively self-confident teens; you have the courage to dance if you’re a bad dancer, or sing at the top of your lungs even if you have a terrible voice, or kiss the girl you’re attracted to. And alcohol and other drugs tend not only to loosen your inhibitions but to alleviate social anxiety. Not only do you have something in common with the other people around you, but there’s the mentality that if you do anything or say anything stupid, everyone will just think you had too many drinks or smoked too much weed.

8. Misinformation. Perhaps the most avoidable cause of substance use is inaccurate information about drugs and alcohol. Nearly every teenager has friends who claim to be experts on various recreational substances, and they’re happy to assure her that the risks are minimal. Educate your teenagers about drug use, so they get the real facts about the dangers of drug use.

Source: Top 8 Reasons Why Teens Try Alcohol and Drugs (Copyright © 2017 Partnership for Drug-Free Kids)
The information contained on this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Stand Strong Coalition's co-founder, Stevenson parent, and clinical psychologist Dr. Debbie Stern recently interviewed by Daily Herald Staff Writer Marie Wilson.

"Substance abuse is a community-wide problem," Stevenson's Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator Dr. Cristina Cortesi said. "It really does take a community to create a culture and to change a culture."