Page 112 - Life In Naples Magazine December 2014 Edition
P. 112
KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE THIS
HOLIDAY SEASON “ Today, when compared
to data from 2004, fewer
teens are drinking alcohol
I t’s the season for holiday parties. Whether hosting a party or attending as efforts from key partners;
thanks to collaborative
a guest, Drug Free Collier has a few party planning tips to help make this
a season to remember. In all the hustle and bustle of party planning, gift
greater involvement from
shopping and decorating, it’s important to keep our children safe. Holiday
parties should not expose children to increased drug and alcohol use.
For adults, holiday parties often include alcohol and casual drinking. Hosts of parents; and increased
social gatherings where alcohol is involved are reminded of their responsibility for community awareness.
keeping their guests safe, especially minors. “Don’t take the jolly out of this season ”
by providing alcohol to minors,” said Melanie Black, Executive Director of Drug
Free Collier.
“Underage drinking is
not only against the law, it
creates real health risks,”
Black said. The age limit is
based on scientific research
on the impact of alcohol on
brain development, which
continues well into the mid-
20s, she added.
Alcohol remains the most
commonly abused substance
among teens. Almost two out
of five high school students in Florida report alcohol consumption in the past 30-
days, and almost 19 percent said they have blacked out from too much drinking,
according to the 2014 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey. Ten years ago, that Drug Free Collier’s CORE students from Lely High School
take the MADD #ProtectUrSelie pledge.
number was much higher, with almost half of all high school students in Florida
drinking.
Today, when compared to data from 2004, fewer teens are drinking alcohol
• Keep all firearms and other potentially
thanks to collaborative efforts from key partners; greater involvement from parents; hazardous items in a safe place.
and increased community awareness. While we celebrate this success, we know • Model appropriate behavior for your guests
there’s still plenty of work to do. and children.
Drug Free Collier’s school-based prevention clubs known as the CORE
• Make sure visibly intoxicated guests are not
Society recently partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to encourage left alone. Even if they’re not driving, impaired
teens to pass on alcohol until 21. Hundreds of local students participated by
guests can be injured or injure others.
posting selfies on their social media with MADD’s #ProtectUrSelfie pledge card, • Provide alternate transportation for impaired
promising to not drink alcohol before age 21 or use other drugs because it is illegal guests.
and dangerous. • Enlist others to help chaperone and monitor
We can help our teens keep this promise during the holidays and throughout your party
the year, by adopting these simple, but important party-planning suggestions: Planning a safe holiday party with these tips
• Control access to alcohol you provide in mind can be the best gift you offer your guests.
• Do not allow underage youth to drink alcoholic beverages On behalf of Drug Free Collier, we wish you
• Offer food and plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and your loved ones a happy, healthy and joyous
• Plan entertainment and other activities so that drinking alcohol is not the holiday season.
primary focus of the party
• Monitor all areas of the house/property or limit the party access to a certain Drug Free Collier is a coalition of concerned
area. citizens working to protect children from substance
• Secure all prescription & over-the-counter medication. Unsecured bottles in a abuse. To learn more about our local efforts, visit
bathroom medicine cabinet can be a source of abuse. www.DrugFreeCollier.org or call 239.377.0535.
112 Life in Naples | December 2014
HOLIDAY SEASON “ Today, when compared
to data from 2004, fewer
teens are drinking alcohol
I t’s the season for holiday parties. Whether hosting a party or attending as efforts from key partners;
thanks to collaborative
a guest, Drug Free Collier has a few party planning tips to help make this
a season to remember. In all the hustle and bustle of party planning, gift
greater involvement from
shopping and decorating, it’s important to keep our children safe. Holiday
parties should not expose children to increased drug and alcohol use.
For adults, holiday parties often include alcohol and casual drinking. Hosts of parents; and increased
social gatherings where alcohol is involved are reminded of their responsibility for community awareness.
keeping their guests safe, especially minors. “Don’t take the jolly out of this season ”
by providing alcohol to minors,” said Melanie Black, Executive Director of Drug
Free Collier.
“Underage drinking is
not only against the law, it
creates real health risks,”
Black said. The age limit is
based on scientific research
on the impact of alcohol on
brain development, which
continues well into the mid-
20s, she added.
Alcohol remains the most
commonly abused substance
among teens. Almost two out
of five high school students in Florida report alcohol consumption in the past 30-
days, and almost 19 percent said they have blacked out from too much drinking,
according to the 2014 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey. Ten years ago, that Drug Free Collier’s CORE students from Lely High School
take the MADD #ProtectUrSelie pledge.
number was much higher, with almost half of all high school students in Florida
drinking.
Today, when compared to data from 2004, fewer teens are drinking alcohol
• Keep all firearms and other potentially
thanks to collaborative efforts from key partners; greater involvement from parents; hazardous items in a safe place.
and increased community awareness. While we celebrate this success, we know • Model appropriate behavior for your guests
there’s still plenty of work to do. and children.
Drug Free Collier’s school-based prevention clubs known as the CORE
• Make sure visibly intoxicated guests are not
Society recently partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to encourage left alone. Even if they’re not driving, impaired
teens to pass on alcohol until 21. Hundreds of local students participated by
guests can be injured or injure others.
posting selfies on their social media with MADD’s #ProtectUrSelfie pledge card, • Provide alternate transportation for impaired
promising to not drink alcohol before age 21 or use other drugs because it is illegal guests.
and dangerous. • Enlist others to help chaperone and monitor
We can help our teens keep this promise during the holidays and throughout your party
the year, by adopting these simple, but important party-planning suggestions: Planning a safe holiday party with these tips
• Control access to alcohol you provide in mind can be the best gift you offer your guests.
• Do not allow underage youth to drink alcoholic beverages On behalf of Drug Free Collier, we wish you
• Offer food and plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and your loved ones a happy, healthy and joyous
• Plan entertainment and other activities so that drinking alcohol is not the holiday season.
primary focus of the party
• Monitor all areas of the house/property or limit the party access to a certain Drug Free Collier is a coalition of concerned
area. citizens working to protect children from substance
• Secure all prescription & over-the-counter medication. Unsecured bottles in a abuse. To learn more about our local efforts, visit
bathroom medicine cabinet can be a source of abuse. www.DrugFreeCollier.org or call 239.377.0535.
112 Life in Naples | December 2014
