ADAP Youth Leadership Council Information for 2012/2103
Youth Leadership Council provides Weston students with a safe environment to discuss the challenge they face in high school. And to learn about the risks associated with substance abuse. In addition, YLC members may mentor younger students, become peer leaders, and help with ADAP’s awareness programs in the Weston schools and in the community.
YLC is comprised of 25-40 Weston students in 9–12th grades. Tim Walsh is the director and facilitator for the Youth Leadership Council. He was hand picked by John McGeehan who designed the program and has facilitated YLC since its inception. The group meets monthly-October through May-on the first Monday of the month from 7–9 PM in the Community Room at the Weston Public Library. Since we meet only once a month it is important that members attend each meeting.
The proposed meeting dates for 2012 – 2013: October 1, November 5, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1, May 6.
For more information please email westonadapylc@gmail.com. To download this year’s application click here: 2012 YLC Application and parent/student invite letter 2012 YLC Invite
Applications must be mailed and postmarked by September 25, 2012.
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Meet ADAP YLC New Facilitator Tim Walsh
ADAP is excited to announce the placement of Tim Walsh as YLC’s new facilitator.
Tim Walsh is an addictions professional, educator and recovery coach with over twenty years experience specializing in working with young adults, adolescents and their families. Tim’s unique blend of personal recovery, addictions training, adventure-based counseling and program development experience make him a dynamic and well-rounded influence for change.
To read Tim’s full bio click here: Tim Walsh Bio
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ADAP YLC Red Ribbon Week
Weston ADAP YLC hand out bracelets for awareness during Red Ribbon Week.
Weston Sees Red Ribbons: The Weston Forum article by ADAP YLC member Brett Gurman
On Monday, Oct. 24, Weston will join with other communities across the country to celebrate the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program: Red Ribbon Week.
In celebration of this special week, high school Youth Leadership Conference members of the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) of Weston will be handing out red bracelets at Weston High School on Monday, Oct. 24, to serve as a reminder about the risks associated with drugs and alcohol.
Local merchants want our local youth to be aware of these risks. Students wearing the red bracelets will be eligible to receive discounts on lunches at Peter’s Market and the Lunch Box in Weston Center.
Red Ribbon Week began in 1985, when Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, then an 11-year veteran of the DEA, was in Guadalajara, Mexico, investigating the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. Just before he was able to unlock a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline, Mr. Camarena was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by the same people he was tracking.
His brutal death raised the awareness of many Americans to the multifaceted danger presented by drugs, and to the international scope of the drug trade.
Following Mr. Camarena’s death, his friends and colleagues encouraged local youth to honor Agent Camarena by wearing red ribbons during the last week of October as a symbol of their commitment.
Weston has celebrated Red Ribbon Week ever since its inception.
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S-U-M-M-E-R Tips from Positive Directions
Positive Directions would like to remind parents that summer vacation means many teens are looking forward to more free time and less responsibility. For precisely this reason, the summer months can present new challenges for parents.Here’s a list of simple things parents can say and do to help their kids stay alcohol and drug free.
1. Set rules: Let your child know that under-age drinking is unacceptable. The majority of kids say that upsetting their parents or losing the respect of family and friends is one of the main reasons they don’t drink or use other drugs. Set limits with clear consequences for breaking them. Praise and reward good behavior.
2. Understand and communicate: Take time to learn the facts about underage drinking and talk to your teen about its harmful health and social effects on young users.
3. Make sure you know where your teen is: Know where your teen will be and what they will be doing during unsupervised time. Research shows that teens with unsupervised time are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as underage drinking, sexual activity and cigarette smoking.
4. Make sure you know who your teen is with: Get to know your teen’s friends and their parents by inviting them over for dinner or talking with them at your teen’s soccer practice, dance rehearsal or other activities. Stay in touch with the adult supervisors of your child (camp counselors, coaches, employers).
5. Engage your teen in summer activities: Enroll your child in a supervised summer camp, educational program, or a summer sports league. Research shows that teens who are involved in constructive, adult-supervised activities are less likely to drink or use drugs
6. Reserve time for family: Spend time together as a family regularly.
For more tips on talking with your teen during the summertime or anytime visit:
http://underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/conversation.aspx
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Parent Program with Matt Bellace, Ph.D. Speaker & Comedian on May 17th
Parent Program for the Weston Community :
Come to “Supporting Your Teen in Making Positive Choices” on May 17th at 7PM in the Weston Library Community Room.
Dr. Bellace is author of A Better High: A Humorous Look at Getting High Naturally, Everyday. He has a Ph.D in clinical neuropsychology and over 15 years of speaking and stand-up comedy experience. As a comedian , he has appreared on truTV’s “The Smoking Gun Presents” and can be heard on Sirius XM’s comedy channels.
Sponsored by WHS, ADAP and WYS, Dr. Bellace will provide examples of how to communicate effectively about responsibility, healthy coping skills and alcohol and drug use and he will present current research on adolescent brain development and answer questions.
For more information check out the program flyer:MAY 17 Matt Bellace Flyer
Great Assembly at Weston High School: Matt Bellace
How to Get High Naturally: L.E.A.D.
a. Lean on Healthy People for Support,
b. Express Yourself in a Healthy Way,
c. Achieve Natural Highs, and
d. Don’t Be Afraid to Take A Stand
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It’s Prom Time Again…
This information is from http://www.timetotalk.org
Here’s What You Can Do to Help Keep Prom Goers and New Graduates Safe:
- Know Your Teens’ Plans and tell them to update you if the itinerary changes so you’re aware of their whereabouts.
- Check In With Them Via Text – they are more likely to reply, since it’s discreet. You can send messages like “Hope ur having a gr8 time!” or “U OK?” before and after the dance.
- Trust Your Teens and resist the urge to hover. You’ve filled them in on the rules and the risks – chances are they got the message.
A national new study of 11th and 12th grade students confirmed that teens don’t recognize the dangers of driving on prom and graduation night, even though they think their peers may be more likely to drink on these occasions. Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21, die as a result of underage drinking: 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, as well as hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns and drowning.
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The Power of Parents: Positive Directions Provides some Great Information
Did you know…
- Parents who had clear discussions with their children around the risks of underage drinking before the age of 10, had children who were less likely to initiate alcohol use early.
- Children who drink before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to develop a lifelong dependency on alcohol.
- It is illegal to allow minors to possess alcohol or “host” underage drinking parties.
- 65% of teenagers report they get their alcohol from family & friends.
- Alcohol used during adolescence may affect brain development.
To view the full “The Power of Parents” brochure with parenting tips, information on alcohol & the teenage brain and other resources, please visit Positive Directions website:www.positivedirections.org
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Detective Carl Filsinger Answers Questions on Underage Drinking
Detective Carl Filsinger, Weston Police Department moderates Weston’s eWatch Yahoo Group:
Q. Can parents legally buy a drink for their own under 18 child in a restaurant? Offer a glass of wine at home? And what about a child who is 18, but not 21 yet?
A restaurant cannot serve anyone under the age of 21. A parent may serve a glass of wine to their own children only while at home. They cannot serve anyone under the age of 21 while in their home. They are criminally and civilly responsible.
Q. If a parent suspects that their teen is drinking and driving, can they ask the police to pull him/her over and administer a sobriety test? If the test is positive, can the consequences be modified to avoid going to court, as I understand it is very costly for the parents?
A person can be placed on a breathalyzer at the police department only after there was probable cause to make a motor vehicle stop (a violation) and after a field sobriety test, a field investigation and an interview with the person who was arrested for DWI. To be placed on the Breathalyzer, the person has to be in police custody i.e. under arrest.
A parent can tell if their child has been drinking and driving as their breath (a slight hint is enough), body odor, motor skills, speech, and appearance are all signs that you will be able to notice.
I recommend that the issue not be discussed when observed but at a time when all minds are clear. There will be less chance for a difficult confrontation.
Also, check the motor vehicle department home page about what a parent can do with respect to an underage person’s driver’s license.
Remind your teen: “driving a motor vehicle in Connecticut is a privilege not a right.”
If you would like to reeive Detective Carl’s e-watch emails, just look under Yahoo Groups, Weston eWatch.
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10 Resolutions That Show Your Kids You Care
From the Partnership at Drugfree.org
- Teach your children to trust you by seeing you as a role model.
- Be patient, not just tolerant. Apologize when you make a mistake or do something you regret.
- Ask teens what they need from you – and do whatever you can to meet those needs.
- Listen to your teens, a lot. Avoid interrupting.
- Teach your children about ethics, values and principles they can apply in choices and decision making.
- Help them discover the feeling of gratitude, not just to say thank you.
- Keep the promises you make. If you do not keep your word, acknowledge that. Help your teen understand the circumstances or choices that precipitated the change in your plans.
- Answer your teen’s questions and be consistent. When you notice behavioral changes in them, make yourself available and encourage them to talk about what is going on in their life.
- Be understanding when they have a difficult time and let them know you will love them no matter what.
10. Be diligent. Have ongoing conversations with your kids about the risks of drugs and alcohol.
Best Wishes for a safe, happy and healthy New Year
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