Porter County (Indiana) Substance Abuse Council

Communicating in a Digital World.

Resources to Help Families Understand and Respond to Their Teen.

Porter County Substance Abuse Council 462-0946 65 Valparaiso Street Valparaiso, IN 46383 www.portercountysac.org Drug testing kits for parents, alcohol information, grants

Porter County Drug Task Force 465-3629 Call if you have information on drug users or dealers Care Counseling 759-6760 Adult outpatient programs Choices!

548-8727 Adult and adolescent outpatient care Family & Youth Services Bureau 464-9585 Valpo Adult and children outpatient counseling 763-6623 Portage Frontline Foundations 728-1638 Adults & children – outpatient counseling Fresh Start Counseling Services 548-9400 Adults and adolescents – outpatient counseling New Beginnings Counseling 203-2343 Adolescents – outpatient counseling Porter County Family Counseling Center 364-2732 Individual, couples, families, group counseling Porter Starke Services 531-3500 Adult and adolescent drug outpatient programs TrautPoint0 219-237-9545 Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, and Additions Counseling This guidebook is brought to you by the Porter County Substance Abuse Council.

Call these providers for more help, information and/or treatment. Additional providers can be found in our resource book on our website.

CONTENTS Porter County—Do We Have A Problem?

4

Our Programs: Speaker’s Bureau, Red Ribbon, Kids Matter

5

Talk to Your Teen

6

Teen Slang

7

Texting

8

Social Media Navigation

9

Hidden in Plain Sight; Marijuana & Alcohol Quick Reference

10

Under the Influence—Course of Action

11

Heroin, Cough Medicines & Inhalants Quick Reference; What to Do and When?

12

Reducing Risky Behaviors

13

Cocaine, Ecstasy Quick Reference

14

Facts About Marijuana; Nothing Sweet About These Gummy Bears

15

Substance Abuse Council Community Outreach

16

Drug Testing Kits—Available for Purchase

17

Link Up With Your Community: Things to Do. Places to Go.

18

References

19 Website– Information @ Your Fingertips LIKE & SHARE our daily updates.

Start a conversation. Ask questions. Participate in discussions.

www.portercounysac.org has a wealth of information that you are able to access. A special tab for Where to Get Help—community resources; Help for parents; What’s Trending.

Porter County— Do We have a problem? #youbet!

According to recent research conducted by Valparaiso University, Indiana Prevention Resource Center and the Quality of Life Indicators of Porter County, youth are at risk for abusing a variety of substances.

Research indicates the following about Porter County youth:

We are in the top 10 counties for alcohol and drug related problems—Higher than the state average for the following:          

Alcohol use Binge drinking Marijuana Heroin Crack Inhalants Cocaine Hallucinogens Prescription medication abuse Methamphetamines

Children try drugs for the first time because:        

They want to fit in with their peers; They think it would be fun They think they will look cool and be more popular Escape or self medication—using drugs to get away from reality Rebellion—using drugs to spite their parents Popular media-music, television and movies Boredom—teens need something to keep them occupied Other people—peers, relatives, role model, celebrities

As parents you can work with your children to minimize experimentation and provide healthy, alternative options for your child.

Children are 50 percent less likely to use alcohol and drugs if they learn about the risks from their parents.

Parents are the anti-drug. Make sure your children receive their anti-drug on a daily basis.

This guidebook will provide information about the primary drugs that are popular in the county, offer advice for dealing with teenagers who are on the cusp of using or who have used, and make suggestions for dealing with some common situations.

SPEAKERS BUREAU The Speakers Bureau (SPARK) is now in the county’s schools. Speakers talk to the children about what the drugs are, how they work, longterm damage, and alternatives.

Red Ribbon Red Ribbon is now 30 years old. This awareness campaign begins the life-long process of bringing awareness about the dangers of drugs. Red Ribbon has been in Porter County for 23 years. Red Ribbon is celebrated each year during the last week in October, the 23rd to the 31st. Look for posters and placemats created by Porter County youth, displayed at schools, restaurants, and businesses around the county. Each spring we award a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who can best articulate what it means to be drug-free. In combination with the Red Ribbon pledge parents can sign a pledge agreeing to spend time with their children each day. Working together, making a positive impact on our community.

My Kids Matter Research shows children who hear the facts about drugs and alcohol from their parents are significantly less likely to use them. A great way to learn how to have those conversations with your child is to host a My Kids Matter gathering in your home, hosted by you and the Porter County Substance Abuse Council. This intimate setting allows for frank, open discussions. Choose a date, call the Substance Abuse Council, invite your friends, listen and learn techniques to keep your children safe!

Start the conversation by telling them you love them and are interested in their well-being.

Tell them you KNOW that drugs may be cool, a road to popularity, a way to cover up their insecurities or an experiment, but there most likely will be consequences for that behavior.

Say that you are worried and concerned about them and will not tolerate substance abuse.

TALK TO YOUR TEEN

Listen to their explanation and logic then communicate with them to formulate a solution that makes sense to them.

Tell them you want to be a part of their lives and help them in any way possible.

LISTEN TO YOUR TEEN

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Set guidelines and have consequences for not abiding by the rules.

Don’t initiate big conversations when your teen is hungry. Feed them first!

Timing is everything—cater your “talks” around their schedule.

Watch for signs they want to talk. They may just want to hang out in your office, on your bed or ride with you in the car.

Your teen’s brain will not fully develop until the age of 24 or 25 years old. And what does this mean? It means that the prefrontal cortex hasn’t fully matured yet. That is the reason that teens tend to participate in risky behaviors and make poor choices. Ironically, the part of the brain that seeks pleasure and reward is fairly developed. This combination can explain why some of your teen’s actions and behaviors seem totally irrational.

Additional Tips from Operation: PARENT Over 50% of all marriages in America end in divorce.

Trends

23% of families in America are single parents families with children under the age of 18.

Children of divorced families are more likely to have academic, behavioral, and psychological problems than children from non-divorced families.

It is not uncommon for teens to turn to substance abuse when their parents are going through divorce. Turning to alcohol or drugs is a way to feel good and momentarily forget what’s going on in their lives.

The purpose of slang is to keep certain people in the loop and others out.

Teens have always communicated through a secret language that serves as code to keep parents from intercepting messages not intended for their ears.

In order to learn what is going on in your teen’s life, you need to learn the code. There is common slang, drug slang, texting acronyms and abbreviations as well as use of symbols called emoticons. There are numerous websites where you are able to research words and their meanings such as noslang.com and urbandictionary.com

TEEN SLANG

Bae - stands for "before anyone else." It is another way to say "baby" as a term of endearment.

Boo refers to a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Basic - used to describe any person, place, activity involving really obvious behavior, dress or action. Can also mean a boring, typical or dull person/thing.

Bye Felicia - used when someone is leaving or want someone to leave that you really couldn't care less about.

Blunt - cigar hollowed out and filled with marijuana.

Chirped - used when you are called out on something.

Cray Cray - when someone is really acting crazy.

Dank- something of high quality.

Damp - used when something is really good or awesome.

Doe - shorter way to say "though." Used to emphasize something.

Ghost - used when someone has disappeared or they don't seem to be around anymore.

Hangry - used when you are hungry and you start getting angry.

I can't even - used when you have so many emotions you are left speechless.

Kush –high grade strand of marijuana.

MCM/WCM - stands for Man Crush Monday and Woman Crush Wednesday.

Normcore - a fashion trend that is characterized by wearing clothes that are average-looking, undistinguished and normal.

On Fleek - used when something is on point or perfect.

Rad - short for radical. Used when cool and awesome doesn't quite cut it.

Slay - used similar to how "killin it" is used. i.e. when you have succeeded in something amazing. Or can mean hooking up with someone for sex.

Spliff - quality cig rolled with both tobacco and marijuana.

Squad - another word for your crew or group of friends.

Swag money - used in a sentence to emphasize "rich greatness."

We B Txtg

Turnt - used when excited or hyped up for the party or night.

Can also mean fun and/or rowdy.

Throwing shade - used when you give someone attitude.

TBT - stands for Throw Back Thursdays. Very popular on Instagram and Facebook. Teens who believe they are super cool will use TBT on other days of the week too.

Thirsty - used when you really want something or someone.

The Feels - used when something makes you so emotional that it makes you want to cry and question life at the same time.

Turnt up - used when someone is getting loose or being wild.

Vape - a term to describe when you inhale vapor from Ecigarettes. Used because "smoking" an E-cig doesn't apply as there is not any smoke only vapor.

Yaasss - used when you want to say "yes" but you mean more than just a simple"yes." It is "yes" on steroids.

VERBAL COMMUNICATION Social media is everywhere! So like it or not you will have to learn the lingo in order to monitor your teens behaviors and help them make good choices. Have access to your teens social media accounts, monitor their use and randomly pick up your child’s phone and read some of the content. Currently 81% of 12-17 year olds use social media.

BYE FELICIA

VAPE

2G2BT—2 Good to be true 404—I haven’t a clue 459—I love you 4e—Forever 4Q—F*** You 511—Too much info 53X—Sex 5FS—Five finger salute 747—Let’s fly 831—I love you 86—Kick out or get rid of 88—Hugs & Kisses 9—Parent is watching ?^- Hook up? :poof: - I’m gone AYOR—At your own risk DOC—Drug of choice FYEO—For your eyes only Imfkd^- I’m f’ed up IWSN—I want sex now LHU—Let’s hook up

BOO

CHIRPED

Tips to help you navigate the SOCIAL MEDIA maze

IWSN - I want sex now GNOC - Get naked on camera NIFOC - Naked in front of computer PIR - Parent in room CU46 - See you for sex 53X – Sex 99 - Parent gone 1174' - Party meeting place THOT - That hoe over there CID - Acid (the drug) Broken - Hungover from alcohol 420 - Marijuana POS - Parent over shoulder SUGARPIC - Suggestive or erotic photo KOTL - Kiss on the lips (L)MIRL - Let's meet in real life PRON - Porn TDTM - Talk dirty to me 8 - Oral sex CD9 - Parents around/Code 9 IPN - I'm posting naked LH6 - Let's have sex WTTP - Want to trade pictures?

DOC - Drug of choice TWD - Texting while driving GYPO - Get your pants off KPC- Keeping parents clueless

You should insist on being a “friend” on your teens social media accounts—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Pheed, Tumblr, Path, Pandora, Vine and Kik. Have your teen explain what each site provides to the user and how they are using the app. Although you have access to the site, such as Facebook, limit your comments or do not comment at all to their posts. This will probably embarrass and anger your teen. Remind your teen that anything that is posted is “forever” and that school administrators and future employers do check social media profiles to learn about their character and values.

Tell them to never post personal information...full name, address, phone number, age, or birthday.

The Secret Life of Teens 94% of teens have a profile on FB with an average count of 425 friends.

81% of 12-17 year olds use social media.

HELPFUL PARENTING APPS Text Arrest—Disables texting and e-mail functions when car is traveling faster than 5 mph. (textarrest.com) myHomework—Helps kids organize tests, due dates, & study groups.

Life360—Find family members on a private map, see recent crimes nearby, receive alerts when family members reach specified locations and more! iCurfew—Updates parents on teen’s location.

Bsafe—Contact 911 and as many friends as you want with the touch of one button if you’re in trouble.

I wonder surf—Monitor and block inappropriate websites.

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Portage Police Chief Troy Williams, a member of the Porter County Substance Abuse Council uses his collection of drug paraphernalia to educate the community.

Portage Police Chief Troy Williams has amassed a collection of drug related paraphernalia throughout his career. He neatly organizes and displays his collection at community events to illustrate to parents how common household items can be fashioned to store and hide drug use. A clever teen can make or purchase items that appear innocent for the intended use but upon further inspection are instruments intended for drug applications.

For example, a Pepsi can is modified so it may double as a container for a drug stash by inserting a screw-top and adding weights. A highlighter or marker becomes a pipe; a battery becomes storage for weed, pills or heroin. Take a second look at what your teen has in their room and the room itself. Removing a light switch may reveal a nifty hiding place or a book may be hollowed out to conceal drugs and paraphernalia.

In 2014, 64.5% of Porter County high school seniors used alcohol and 43% of the same group used marijuana.

Marijuana Also called: Blunt, Boom, Dope, Grass, Hash, Herb, Mary Jane, Pot, Reefer, Skunk, Weed; Looks Like: A green or gray mixture of dried shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant: How It’s Used/Abused: Smoked, brewed into tea or mixed into foods: What Teens Have Heard: Relaxing, not dangerous and often easier to get than alcohol; Dangerous Because: Can cause memory and learning problems, hallucinations, delusions and depersonalization; Teen Usage:(grades 9-12); 1 in 3 teens has abused marijuana in their lifetime; Signs of Abuse: Slowed thinking and reaction time, impaired coordination, paranoia; Important to Know: Contrary to popular belief, marijuana can be addictive.

Alcohol

Also called Booze: Looks Like: Liquid (types include beer, wine, liquor), powder; How It’s

Used/Abused: drink; What Teens Have Heard: Makes a boring night fun; Dangerous Because: Impairs reasoning, clouds judgment, long-term heavy drinking can lead to alcoholism and liver and heart disease: Teen usage (grades 9-12); 1 in 2 teens drank alcohol in the last year; Signs of Abuse: Slurred speech, lack of coordination, nausea, vomiting, hangovers; Important to Know: Being a child of an alcoholic places children at greater risk for developing alcohol problems.

Under the Influence : Course of Action If your child comes home under the influence of alcohol or another drug, DO NOT argue with her at that time; you are only speaking to the chemicals. Make sure your child is safe and seek medical attention if necessary. SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY! Don’t be discouraged if your first course of action does not work. Let your child know you are not giving up.

LOVE YOUR CHILD!

Face the Situation You have noticed a change in your child’s pattern of behavior. You suspect your child may be using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Your child has begun to exhibit aggressive or violent behavior at home, in the community, or in school. Early intervention is critical. You must intervene even if your child feels embarrassed or becomes angry. This is your child’s life that is at risk. There are no guarantees that intervention will change your child’s behavior, but you must try.

Until a person experiences the consequences of alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use the behavior will continue. Making excuses only ensures that the behavior will most likely continue.

Common Ways Destructive Behaviors are Excused: Calling in sick to school for a child who is hung over.

Concealing a child’s problem from the other parent.

Not following through consistently on consequences for drug use or violent behavior.

Not seeking or taking advantage of professional help when a child will not, or cannot, change his or her destructive behavior.

Denying or minimizing a child’s use even to a helping professional.

Knowingly allowing a minor to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Lending money to or paying bills for a child who is involved in drug use or violence.

Denying or minimizing a child’s increased violent behavior.

Denying behavior changes that suggest activity with gangs (changed clothing, staying out late, change in friendships, refusal to discuss activities).

Parents-Grandparents-Adults Are the Anti-drug 

Children want and need discipline.



Know where your child is after school every day between 3-6 p.m.



Keep track of prescription medications in the house, lock up if necessary.



Notify other relatives to keep prescription medication locked-up.



If your child says, “everybody is doing it,” or “everybody is going,” check with other parents and confirm.

Texting Lingo BRB - Be Right Back BTW

By The Way

B4N

Bye For Now

BCNU Be Seeing You BFF

Best Friends Forever

CYA

See Ya

GR8

Great

ILY

I Love You

IMO In my Opinion IRL

In Real Life

ISO

In Search Of

J/K

Just Kidding

L8R

Later

In 2014, 3.3% of Porter County high school seniors have used heroin in their lifetime—17.8% more than the state average.

Heroin Also called: Big H, Black Tar, Dope, Junk, Skunk, Smack; Looks Like: White to dark brown powder or tar-like substance; How It’s Used/ Abused: Injected, smoked, freebased or snorted; What Teens Have Heard: Full-on euphoria, but super risky; Dangerous Because: Chronic heroin users risk death by overdose; Teen Usage: (grades 9-12); 1 in 20 teens has abused heroin in their lifetime; Signs of Abuse: Track marks on arms, slowed and slurred speech, vomiting; Important to Know: Heroin overdose is a particular risk on the street, where the purity of the drug cannot be accurately known.

LOL Laugh out loud

NP

No Problem

OT

Off Topic

RBTL Read Between The Lines RT - Real Time -or- Re-Tweet THX or TX or THKS Thanks SH Sh** Happens SITD

Still In The Dark

SMH

Shaking My Head

STBY

Sucks To Be You

SWAK

Sealed With A Kiss

TBT

Throwback Thursday

TMI

Too Much Information

TTYL

Talk To You Later

TYVM

Thank You Very Much

WTF

What The F***

WYWH Wish You Were Here

A common practice is to mix Sprite with cough syrup creating what is called sizzurp.

Cough Medicine/DXM Also called: Dex, Red Devils, Robo, Triple C, Tussin, Skittles, Syrup; Looks Like: Liquid, pills, powder, gel caps; How It’s Used/Abused: Swallowed: What Teens Have Heard: Causes a trippy high with various plateaus; Dangerous Because: Can cause abdominal pain, extreme nausea, liver damage; Teen Usage (grades 9-12); 1 in 8 teens has abused cough medicine in their lifetime; Signs of Abuse: Slurred speech, loss of coordination, disorientation, vomiting; Important to Know: The “high” from cough medicine is caused by ingesting a large amount of dextromethorphan (DXM), a common active ingredient.

Inhalants Also called: Bagging, Huffing, Poppers, Snappers, Dusting; Looks Like: Paint thinner, glue, nail polish remover, air conditioner fluid, etc. How It’s Used/Abused: Inhaled through nose or mouth; What Teens Have Heard: A cheap, 20-minute high; Dangerous Because: Chronic exposure can produce significant damage to the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Can induce death; Teen Usage (grades 9-12); 1 in 6 teens has abused inhalants in their lifetime; Signs of Abuse: Missing household products. More than 1000 common products are potential inhalants that can kill on the first use or any time thereafter.

Ways to Reduce Risky Teen Behaviors 





Be a good role model for your teen.

Your teen looks to you for guidance and observes your behaviors. Studies have shown that parents are the child’s first role model. Set a good example. Examine your use of drugs such as tobacco, prescription drugs and alcohol. The main reason children choose not to participate in drug and alcohol consumption is their fear of disappointing their parents.

Know your teen’s friends. Have a direct conversation with the friends.

A perfect time is when you are driving them to or from an activity. Ask them about their family and just listen to their conversation. Know where your teen is at all times and who they are with. Steer your child to a different set of friends if current friends display deviant behaviors.

Monitor, supervise and set boundaries. If boundaries are crossed be prepared with consequences to fit the infraction. Consequences need

to be established before rules are broken. 

Be supportive and approachable so your teen will be able to talk with you about what is going on in their life.



Encourage open communication and promote activities with you as the parent and family to maintain a connection.



Parents must be willing to discuss drug and alcohol usage and enforce rules and expectations if your child has chosen to experiment. Educate yourself and your teen about drugs and the use or abuse. Know the signs.



Practice healthy parent-child attachment. Promote family bonding.

Know your child, talk and listen.

Spend time together.



Eliminate a chaotic home environment.



Encourage school successes in the classroom and social interactions.



Guide your child in making appropriate choices and what possible consequences of poor choices could mean for their future. Set firm, reasonable rules and follow through with immediate consequences appropriate to the infraction. Don’t apologize for our concern.

Cocaine/Crack Also called: Big C, blow, bump, coke, nose candy, rock, snow; Looks Like: White crystalline powder, chips, chunks or white rocks; How It’s Used/Abused: Cocaine can be snorted or injected; crack can be smoked: What Teens Have Heard: Keeps you amped up; you’ll be the life of the party; Dangerous Because: Can cause heart attacks, strokes and seizures. In rare cases, sudden death on the first use; Teen Usage: (grades 9-12); 1 in 9 teens has abused cocaine or crack in their lifetime; Signs of Abuse: Nervous behavior, restlessness, bloody noses, high energy; Important to Know: Cocaine is one of the most powerfully addictive drugs Ecstasy/MDMA Also called: Adam, Bean, E, Roll, x, XTC, Molly; Looks Like: Branded tablets (Playboy bunnies, Nike swoosh); How It’s Used/Abused: Swallowed; What Teens Have Heard: Enhances the senses and you’ll love everyone; Dangerous Because: Can cause severe dehydration, liver and heart failure and even death; Teen Usage (grades 9-12); 1 in 8 teens has abused Ecstasy in their lifetime; Signs of Abuse: Teeth clenching, chills, sweating, dehydration, anxiety, unusual displays of affection; Important to Know: Can be addictive. A popular club drug because of its stimulant properties which allow users to dance for long periods of time.

A bloody nose is a sign of cocaine/ or crack abuse.

What Do You Do and When?

When you have a suspicion that your child is using drugs, what do you do?

First, learn as much as you can about what you think you are dealing with by using the resources in this handbook.

Sit down and talk to your child and start a discussion. Stay calm and allow as much time as needed. Allow the conversation to naturally develop by asking questions and LISTENING. Do not get upset or make accusations. Be prepared for your teen to deny drug use. Don’t expect them to admit there is a problem. They will likely deny any involvement followed by an angry demeanor. Be prepared, if confronted by your teen, about your substance abuse when you were a youngster. Experts agree that you should answer honestly otherwise you will lose credibility and their trust.

Tell your child how you feel about what they are doing. Be specific about what you suspect, what you found and what you know. You may suspect they are using drugs because of their appearance, choice of friends, and behavioral changes.

Let them know that as a family, drug and alcohol use will not be tolerated and set some ground rules. Let them know what the consequences will be for not abiding by the rules.

Be prepared to enforce the rules.

Nothing Sweet About These Gummy Bears 

A way for teens to sneak alcohol past their parents is soaking gummy bears in vodka.



Vodka doesn’t have an odor and the bears keep the same color and original shape (a little plumper if soaked for days).



Teens are bringing those into sporting events at schools,

Blunt—Weed—Reefer—Pot: Potential to Lower IQ 8 Points FACT: About 1 in 6 people or 17%, who start smoking marijuana in their teens will become addicted. Source: www.drugabuse.govpublicaitons/topics-on-briefmarijuana.

FACT: Daily use today can have stronger effects on developing teen brain than it did 10 or 20 years go. Today’s marijuana cigarette is 4 times as strong as it was in 1995. The main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. THC, has increased from 3.75% in 1995 to an average of 15% in today’s marijuana cigarette. Source: NIDA Press Release, 12/18/13.

FACT: Smoking marijuana interferes with learning and memory, increasing the risk of poor grades and dropping out of school. Research shows it can lower your IQ if you smoke it regularly in your teen years. Source: www.drugabuse.gov/ publivaigtonsmarijuan-facts-teens/some-things-to-think-about.

FACT: Over the past several years, teen marijuana use has increased as the perceived harm of smoking marijuana has decreased. In 2008, 32.4% of seniors reported marijuana use in the past year; 265 perceived great risk in using marijuana. In 2012, 36.4% seniors reported marijuana use in the past year: 20.5% perceived a great risk.

Source: NIDA, 2013 Monitoring the Future Survey.

FACT: Marijuana can decrease a person’s ability to drive a car. Marijuana affects certain skills required for driving – reaction time, alertness, concentration and coordination. Sources: www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-factsteens/some-things-to-think-about

FACT: According to a national survey more than one in eight high school seniors admitted driving under the influence in the two weeks before the survey. Source: NIDA, 2010 Monitoring the Future Study.

FACT: 82% of high school seniors reported it was fairly easy to very easy to get marijuana. Source: NIDA, 2013 Monitoring the Future Study.

FACT: In states with medical marijuana laws, high school seniors are using other person’s medical marijuana prescriptions to get the drug. Source: NIDA Press Release, 12/18.13.

FACT: A national survey reports that 7.2% of youth aged 12 to 17 smoked marijuana in the past month.

Source: SAMSHA, 2012 National Survey on Drug use and Health.

FACT: A national survey reports that more than 12% of eighth graders reported using marijuana in the past year.

Source: NIDA, 2013 Monitoring the Future Survey.

PORTER COUNTY SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL A coalition of members from around the county working to reduce substance abuse. PCSAC grant funds local user fees (assessed against all DUI convictions and drug interdictions) to member organizations. These dollars help support drug testing in the schools and in the court, equipment for police departments and the justice department, counseling and awareness programs in the schools. PCSAC also offers county-wide programming for parents, teachers, counselors and more. The Porter County Substance Abuse Council is the state-mandated Local Coordinating Council with oversight from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. We are the recipients of the federal Drug Free Communities grant through the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy.

We also receive grant funding from local organizations.

Coalition members work in the community, at events, fairs, speaking engagements and more. Meetings are held throughout the year. Full coalition meetings are held every other month on the second Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at the Sheriff’s Department. Committees make the coalition run. Committees meet monthly.

If interested in joining the coalition visit our website, www.portercountysac.org, to find out when the next meeting will be held.

Drunk Driving Task Force 

Every 51 minutes someone in the United States dies in an alcohol-related auto accident. In 2014, six people in Porter County died from an alcohol-related auto accident.



Nearly 4 out of 10 students have consumed alcohol by the end of 8th grade.



Children who begin drinking before age 15 are five times more like to become an alcoholic than those who begin at 21.



Drinking and/or drugging do not mix with driving!

Members of the Drunk Driving Task Force perform several vital functions in the county. The Task Force sponsors extra patrols on our roads. These patrols help keep the roads safe from drunk and drugged drivers. The Task Force has an educational component that includes billboards, public announcements at local movie theaters, ads in local newspapers and more. The Task Force also performs a community service in schools around the county with the Goggles and Carts program. This program is presented right before proms and graduations. Police Officers and other members of the Task Force work with juniors and seniors to show them the dangers of drinking and driving using goggles that simulate inebriation. Wearing the goggles students try to maneuver a course driving a golf cart. Police officers guide the students through the course, never leaving the students’ side. Other events at this important program may include soccer goals, basketball hoops, bean bag toss, and Click or Ticket.

THE PRICE of HOSTING A PARTY: Indiana Social Host Laws are clear what the consequences are for hosting a party for underage drinkers. Visit our website at www.portercountysac.org for a full text of the law.

LINK UP WITH YOUR COMMUNITY We are fortunate to have nationally protected and acclaimed resources in our own backyard—The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Here there are programs for your and your family just waiting to be discovered. Hiking, paddling, camping, and miles and miles of bike paths that weave throughout our county. Annually we have visitors from around the world descend on Porter County to take advantage or our wonderful resources, culture and amenities. Go to any of the links listed and click to find out how easy it is to plan a day with your family.—at the lakeshore or in any of our wonderfully diverse and vibrant communities. Every season presents a plethora of activities to engage you and your children. You many enjoy many memory making activities and events for little or no cost.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County, http://www.bgcpoco.org/ Girl Scouts, http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/ Boy Scouts, https://dunesmorainebsa.wordpress.com/join-scouting/, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boy-ScoutTroop-907/156843724342445 Indiana Dunes, http://www.indianadunes.com/ 4-H, FFA, and more, http://www.portercountyfarmbureau.org/html/resources.html Theater, http://dramakids.com/in1/ Libraries, http://pcpls.org/ Festivals and events, http://www.indianadunes.com/events/ The music scene, http://www.northwestindiana.com/localmusic.htm Civil Air Patrol, https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Porte-County-Civil-Air-Patrol/266030200121585 Porter County Parks, http://www.porterco.org/index.aspx?nid=195 South Shore events, http://www.southshorecva.com/events/ Kids Power, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kids-Power-Porter-County/376942882369530 Things to do in Porter County, https://www.facebook.com/PorterCounty365 Free things to do in Porter County, http://www.travelingmom.com/15-free-things-in-porter-county-indiana/ Paddle a canoe, http://www.nwipa.org/ Ride a horse, go camping, hike the dunes, sail a boat, have fun!

REFERENCES & CREDITS https://ncadd.org/for-youth/underage-and-college https://ncadd.org/for-youth/faqsfacts https://ncadd.org/recovery-support/definition http://ncadd.org/for-friends-and-family/helping-someone http://ncadd.org/for-friends-and-family/family-education http://ncadd.org/for-friends-and-family/stories-of-recovery http://ncadd.org/for-friends-and-family/intervention http://ncadd.org/learn-about-alcohol/faqsfacts http://ncadd.org/learn-about-alcohol/signs-and-symptoms http://ncadd.org/learn-about-drugs/marijuana http://ncadd.org/for-friends-and-family/family-disease-and-recovery www.operation parent.org YOU TUBE http://ncadd.org/learn-about-drugs/signs-and-symptoms http://ncadd.org/learn-about-drugs/drugged-driving Additionally, check our website out at www.portercountysac.org for continuously updated information, community trends, resources, events and parent programs such as My Kids Matter.

Daily information is posted on our Facebook page. Visit us, LIKE US and SHARE—We want and need everyone to be informed of the new trends and issues we are facing as a community, county and state.

PURCHASE A DRUG TESTING KIT—ONLY $5.00 !

Start testing you child in middle school and they will accept it as a normal parental routine. This will also serve as an excuse for your teen—”My parents test for drugs and I don’t know when they are gonna do it.”

It is recommended that you start talking to your teen about drug use throughout their formative years. Studies show that parents that use continual talks starting at an early age about the risks of drug abuse are far less likely to experiment with drugs. Teens cite their parents are the largest influence in their decision to not use drugs.

Studies show that marijuana is in fact a gateway drug to more experimentation and usage. Over 4,800 American teens start using pot each day. The youngest age in rehab is often 11 years old. 38% of American teens use marijuana. Today’s pot is not the pot of the 60s or 70s; in the 70’s it contained 4% THC, and today its over 8.5%. 1 in 6 10th graders report they are current marijuana users (used within the past month). Our drug test will test for marijuana and other drugs. Call us at 462-0946 for more info.

DRUG DROP OFF BOXES Without realizing it, prescription medications left in the home after the medical need has been remedied my be fueling a family member’s addiction; polluting the environment—land and water and may accidentally poison a child or pet. Medications can be dropped off at the following law enforcement locations: Chesterton Police Department, Hebron Police Department, Portage Police Department, Porter Police Department, Valparaiso Police Department and the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. Call for details.

DRUG TEST YOUR TEEN The most critical test your child will ever pass.

Porter County Substance Abuse Council 65 Valparaiso Street Valparaiso, IN 46383 Phone: 219-462-0946 E-mail: info@portercountysac.org www.portercountysac.org FB: Porter County Substance Abuse Council Kits are available for $5.00.

Call 219-462-0946 for appointment