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 [email protected].

​

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.

 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.
​
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.

On Friday, February 26th, seventeen (17) Stevenson High School's Catalyst Club students volunteered as facilitators at Daniel Wright Junior High School’s annual Operation Snowflake event. The program strives to facilitate discussion and interaction among students, which lead to thoughtful decision - making skills and how to handle peer pressure.

Catalyst Club students, along with Stevenson’s Peer Theater Group were trained in the Operation Snowflake curriculum and spent the day talking and collaborating for over 5 hours with Daniel Wright 7th-graders. They discussed important issues facing our students, such as peer pressure, prejudice, and how to make good choices.  Catalyst students led small discussion groups and activities and even directed short skits acted out by the younger students.  The administration at Daniel Wright J.H.S loved the participation of local high school students and believed that they are critical to providing this messaging to the 7th graders. Younger students left feeling informed, empowered, and more confident to enter high school.

We are extremely proud and humbled by the Catalyst student's passion, time, and commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of younger students. We are committed to the goal of connecting, informing, and reinforcing the importance of making good choices for students and community members alike.

Visit the Adlai E. Stevenson website for more information regarding Catalyst Club.

Adlai E. Stevenson High School Prevention Team rolled out its “Your Brain--Gray Matters” information campaign for students the week of January 22nd and it was a great success with over 1,600 downloads !

The campaign's intention was/is to help improve students’ knowledge about the brain, its development during the teen years, and how drugs and alcohol can impair development.

As part of the campaign, the team has created a “Your Brain--Gray Matters” app for students available for iPhone and iPad through the App Store. The app features a game called Brain Blitz, in which students can test their knowledge about the effects of making healthy choices.

For more information regarding the Prevention Team, please contact Dr. Christina Cortesi, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator at Adlai E. Stevenson High School.