Thursday, October 25, 2012
The Lake County Health Department received a national Drug-Free Communities grant for the Lake County Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force.
Armed with new resources and ideas, Lake County officials are more determined than ever to reduce drinking and prescription drug abuse among youths. The Lake County Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force recently secured a $125,000 national Drug Free Communities grant that will help local municipalities raise more awareness in the suburbs and implement programs aimed at easing these problems across the county. “The ultimate goal is to reduce substance abuse levels in Lake County,” said Kristine Andersen, the Lake County Health Department’s coordinator for alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention. “There’s no one (effort) that’s going to change it all, but if you have the right tools and use the right tools at the right time, it can make …
Monday, May 7, 2012
Police and health department officials share resources to help youths make smarter decisions.
Across Lake County, health professionals, law enforcement agents and volunteers are working behind the scenes to target youths’ alcohol consumption and drug abuse. The Lake County Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force was established in 2007, when the Lake County After School Coalition merged its efforts with the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association just months after an intoxicated 18-year-old died in a car accident after leaving a party in a Deerfield home. The high-profile story led to an Illinois Supreme Court case and prompted many local villages to enforce social-host ordinances that hold adults responsible for preventing underage drinking parties in their homes. Lake Forest adopted an ordinance in 2010. Today, the task force …
The following data is from Lake County's latest survey of sixth-graders, eighth-graders, sophomores and seniors. A follow-up survey is being conducted this spring.
Of the 20,000 students surveyed in 2010: Complete survey results are attached at right. The survey is conducted every other year. This year's survey results will be released in the fall. Find out how Lake County officials are addressing concerns about youth behavior at Lake County Task Force Targets Underage Drinking.
