We have joined with Weston Youth Services & Weston High School PTO to sponsor a funny but thought-provoking preprom presentation by comedian Bernie McGrenahan, who helps high school and college students to learn from his life experiences.

Bernie is changing the way students look at partying by sharing his life story.    He is a former ‘A’ student/athlete and high-risk drinker, who lost it all, beat the odds, and climbed his way back up. Bernie shares ‘inside tips’ to when a party stops being a party. A stand-up comedy show first, followed by a powerful and inspirational message on how students can achieve their goals.  In addition to Bernie’s talk, ADAP’s Youth Leadership Council students will be on hand throughout pre-prom awareness day with information for students on alcohol and drug awareness and prom safety.

Join ADAP in helping keep teens safe during prom and party season!

Comedian Bernie McGrenahan with ADAP YLC Representatives May 2010

Detective Carl Filsinger with ADAP YLC member using Fatal Vision Goggles May 2010

WWL helps support ADAP, Kids in Crisis and the Weston Education Foundation.
For more please information visit www.westonwomensleague.org

Tammy Roberts presents check to ADAP YLC members.

YLC members will be selling tickets at Weston Center over the next few weekends.  Please support this family event. All proceeds will go to Kiwanis and ADAP to support programs for Weston youth.  $25 per family, $8 per individual.

With the Mt. Laurel Dance just around the corner on Saturday May 9, the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program of Weston (ADAP) asks parents for two considerations. First, chaperones are desperately needed. If interested or if you have any questions, please contact Olga Kunevsky at okunevsky@yahoo.com. Secondly, ADAP encourages parents to take this opportunity to discuss expectations, set limits and use some “parenting tools” especially if this is the first high school dance for their son or daughter.

Party Tips for Parents from ADAP and the Weston Police:

• Don’t leave your house unattended the night of the dance. It’s too tempting to become the post-dance party house.
• Know where your children will be before and after the dance. Ask them who they will be with and where they’ll be. Have them call you from a landline instead of a cell phone to be sure of their location.
• Call the host parents of any parties to confirm they are going to be home and that there will be no alcohol allowed. If you can, offer to help chaperone.
• Be careful with large parties. Open invitations are posted on Facebook, leading to huge numbers of invited and uninvited guests. Such events can easily get out of control.
• Look for containers that might contain alcohol. It’s common for teens to bring alcohol in water bottles or other containers, making it difficult for parents to stop alcohol consumption.
• If they do attend a party, make it easy for them to leave if they sense trouble. Tell them they can call you for a ride – no matter how late, no questions asked. Develop a code word that means, “pick me up now” to avoid being embarrassed in front of friends.
• Most importantly, be clear. Tell your teens that you feel alcohol and drug use is unacceptable. Many parents never state this simple fact. It makes a difference.

This is an excellent opportunity to network with other parents about setting limits and rules for the evening. All parents want to trust their children, but they should also be diligent. Remember you’re their parent, not their friend. Trust but verify.

The Mountain Laurel dance will be held on Saturday, May 9, from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm at Temple Israel. No one will be admitted after 9:00 pm and no one may leave before 10:30 pm unless arranged in advance. A Breathalyzer test will be given to everyone entering the dance. Additional parenting tips can be found on the ADAP website, at www.westonadap.org.

Sophomores Khadija Lalani and Meg Sanborn at ADAP’s Parent Forum