Last year, Tinley Park high school students participated in the 2016 Illinois Youth Survey conducted by the Center for Prevention Research. The survey found that seven out of ten students say “no” to alcohol, despite the myth that underage drinking is common. Although uncommon, there are situations where the problem can be exacerbated by parents who believe that, if their teens are going to drink alcohol anyway, they might as well do it in a safer place where there is some control. This leads parents to acquiesce, even letting teens bring alcohol to parties in their home.

L.O.U.D.’s “Know the No” program is two-pronged, with some activities focused on teens and others focused on parents. Tinley Park High School is the first participating school and the organizers hope to expand the campaign to other schools in the area and beyond in the near future.

Bremen Youth Services and L.O.U.D. have produced a series of communications pieces—display ads, banners, flyers and posters—which introduce the program and communicate key messages throughout the duration of the program. An online newsroom/website www.newsline360.com/LOUD is where campaign news and key messaging will be frequently posted. Interested people can subscribe to or “follow” the newsroom to receive the latest information as soon as it is posted.

Among the key messages the program hopes to communicate, based on results of the Illinois Youth Survey, are:

The posters also include some information about adolescent substance and alcohol abuse based on findings of the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Discussing the consequences of being “drunk,” they point out that intoxicated people have a harder time making good decisions, are less aware that their behavior may be inappropriate or risky and are less likely to recognize potential danger in the short term. Over the long term, teen alcohol use can interfere with normal brain development and can increase the chance that the teens will develop an alcohol use disorder later in life.

L.O.U.D. clearly understands that parents have a key role to play in preventing underage drinking and that is why the Know the NO program includes activities geared toward parents. According to program flyers, research shows that parents strongly influence whether or not teens choose to drink alcohol–80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision to drink or not drink (source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)).

An important goal is to dispel the myth that most area parents allow their teens to drink. The Illinois Youth Survey found that 62% of teens who participated in the survey reported that their parents will not provide them with alcohol.

Program communications to parents will include postcard mailers to all parents in the participating schools, internet and print ads, posters and flyers. There also will be in-school parent seminars. The key message is: “Empower Your Child: Thank You for Not Providing.”

Among the tips offered to parents are:

“We see the value in being up front with teens about alcohol use, and discussing it openly,” said Sebek. “Most teens will listen to grownups’ warnings about underage drinking, but they also will pay attention to what their peers say. That’s why the “Know the No” program is about getting correct, no-nonsense information into the hands of the students.”

For more information about the “Know the NO” program, please visit the program website at www.newsline360.com/LOUD. Information about Bremen Youth Services can be found at www.bremenyouthservices.org.

About L.O.U.D.
L.O.U.D. (Leaders Opposed to Underage Drinking) is dedicated to creating healthy communities and schools that encourage alcohol free youth by implementing evidence-based strategies to fight the contributing factors of underage drinking. Although the two part campaign targets parents and youth separately, its goal is to make both groups aware of the fact underage sobriety is normal. The parent campaign found that 62% of teens from Tinley/Orland Park report their parents’ will not provide them alcohol while the youth campaign found that 7/10 students from Tinley/Orland Park say no to alcohol.

For more information about L.O.U.D. Coalition, call 708-687-9200 or email bremengreenwald@aol.com.

About Bremen Youth Services
Bremen Youth Services (BYS) is a not-for-profit community mental health agency committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families by providing quality mental health, substance abuse and prevention services. Services are provided by licensed counselors, social workers, and graduate level interns, mental health professionals and certified drug and alcohol counselors. The agency is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Bremen Youth Services participates in coalitions to network, collaborate, and maximize the services available to the Bremen Township community. Visit www.bremenyouthservices.orgfor more information on Bremen Youth Services’ services and staff. For questions or personal assistance, please contact Bremen Youth Services at bys15350@aol.com or 708-687-9200. The agency’s service hours are Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on and Saturdays by appointment only.