The Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition would like to officially announce that as of Sept. 7th 2023, we were awarded the continuation of the Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Receiving this award will give the WCSAPC an additional 5 years to continue our drug prevention efforts within Will County.

We would like to thank all of our partners for continued support and dedication in the efforts of education, treatment, and prevention work for the youth in our community. We are looking forward to the next five years of continuing drug prevention initiatives and working with our numerous stakeholders to create a better tomorrow for the youth in Will County.

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use.

We know teens often think they’re in charge. But parents get to make the rules, and you are still your teen’s first role model.

Making sure they know family rules, including not drinking alcohol underage, is as fundamental as the ABCs and 123s. As your teen develops, update your family rules accordingly. You may encounter some resistance, but that doesn’t mean you must change the rules.

Get comfortable with the facts to give your teen a consistent no-use message. These conversations can be challenging, but keeping your children safe takes work and consistency.

There are many reasons to avoid alcohol. Maybe there’s a family history of alcohol use disorder, or you want them to keep a good reputation. Whatever it is, there are facts to support you.

• Your values and beliefs inform their decision-making at this age.
• Knowing their parents disapprove of underage drinking is a key deterrent for teens and pre-teens, whether they admit it or not.
• Check-in with your teens after they’ve been out, using your parental instincts to check for anything amiss.

Keep Showing Up, They’re Still Growing Up.

Whether working to win a big match or master a new creation, your greatest performance requires focus. You can’t expect you’re best if you drink underage.

How so? Our brains naturally release a chemical called norepinephrine to help us pay attention. Within minutes of drinking, alcohol reaches the brain and interferes with this process, shortening attention span and making it harder to concentrate. Give your goals the full focus they deserve. Succeed alcohol-free.

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