Dold discusses teen drug prevention at Mundelein High
On Nov. 12, United States Congressman Bob Dold (IL-10) met with the Mundelein STAND-UP Task Force, community members and Mundelein High School students to discuss strategies to help Mundelein teens "Be the Majority" and lead substance-free lifestyles.
Dold highlighted the strategies the Mundelein STAND-UP Task Force uses to keep teens healthy and safe.
"In Mundelein, the 30-day high school alcohol use rate decreased from 38 percent in 2008 to 30 percent in 2014. We can look at what successful coalitions like STAND-UP have been doing to educate the community about drugs, and point people in the right direction to places like Nicasa Behavioral Health Services if they need drug treatment," Dold said.
"We know local coalitions have a great impact on the community and we can support their efforts with federal legislation that provides the tools and resources to help communities continue their work."
The Mundelein STAND-UP Task Force is grateful for a strong supporter of drug prevention legislation.
"Congressman Dold understands the issues we face as a community and in Lake County in trying to keep kids safe. His involvement in sound drug prevention policy on the federal level helps us on the local level to reduce teen drug use and its consequences," said Don Hansen, deputy chief of the Mundelein Police Department and STAND-UP Task Force chairman.
Last April, Congressman Dold was named co-chair of the Suburban Anti-Heroin Task Force and announced his support for nearly $200 million in federal funding to combat heroin abuse.
Last June, Dold called for the passage of the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Reauthorization Act, H.R. 1717, which funds community-based grants to prevent underage drinking, in addition the coordination of federal efforts and research.
After Dold spoke to the Task Force, Jake Antenore, president of the Mundelein STAND-UP Task Force Student Club and junior at Mundelein High School, along with other students, interviewed Dold regarding his thoughts on keeping teens healthy, safe and drug-free.
Dold believes education and student involvement are key strategies to preventing drug use.
"You are stepping up and leading efforts that provide an opportunity for other students to say it's not cool to drink alcohol or use other drugs, and you will actually be in the majority if you stay drug-free," Dold told students.
Dold applauded Task Force efforts to educate parents and guardians on the signs and symptoms of drug use through the "Stay Out of My Room" display. The display is a mock teen bedroom that helps parents and guardians detect signs of hidden drug use. STAND-UP believes parents can't prevent teen drug use if they don't know what to look for.
Mundelein STAND-UP Task Force's findings show that, according to the 2014 Illinois Youth Survey, 87.5 percent of high school teens do not use marijuana and 70 percent do not drink alcohol, which are the two most used substances by teens locally, demonstrating that most teens in Mundelein make healthy choices and should be encouraged to "Be the Majority."
The Mundelein STAND-UP Task Force started in 2007 to prevent and reduce underage drinking and drug use among youth in Mundelein. The group comprises community leaders, organizations, schools, police, churches, youth, parents, and neighbors who are concerned about the health, safety and well-being of Mundelein youth.
The Task Force meets the second Thursday of every month at the Mundelein Police Department from 8:30-10 a.m. Meetings are free. For more information, contact Task Force Chairman Deputy Chief Don Hansen at (847) 968-3779 or visit www.mundeleinstandup.org.
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