Parent Post
The Power of Choice – High School Edition
2025
Teens Looks Up to Their Parents
As you support your teenager, the Power of Choice supports you! A parent is a child’s original hero. Their role model. They hear you even as they rebel. Teens differentiate themselves from parents in many ways. They might dye their hair and push boundaries. For the most part, they do love their parents. Knowingly or unknowingly, they tend to want your approval. And so it is a good practice to periodically mention your expectations of them adhering. The Power of Choice is an alcohol prevention communication campaign that has supported local families, educators and teens for over 20 years. It provides good feeling posters and positive reminders at school about healthy decisions. It equips students and staff with Illinois Youth Survey data – results from anonymous surveys they completed at school. The statistics are shared on the campaign posters and images on bulletin boards and monitors. The messages are subtle, uplifting, and encouraging while gently mentioning staying substance-free. The campaign’s aim is to prevent use, and also reduce repeat use and harm for teens who want to reduce and stay substance-free. Most teens don’t drink, or use other drugs.
Some become fans of the campaign, even getting involved and helping create the Power of Choice campaign materials. They invite peers to join their Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) meetings, or a Snowball Retreat. The YAC high school students review and revise the Power of Choice campaign materials at their monthly meetings. If your student might bring something to or get something from the YAC group, they can go to instagram @yac_360 or email Sarah Indlecoffer at Sindlecoffer@360youthservices.org for upcoming meeting dates.
Take time to listen while talking with your teen. Parents are all about helping their teen go after their life’s hopes and dreams. The reality is whether curiosity, anxiety, depression, stress, or another reason, all of our teens are at risk of substance use. This includes alcohol, vaping, THC or another intoxicant. Many are unaware of the real risks of dependency, school problems, legal, health, possible exposure to fentanyl and other consequences. Some teens struggle with mental health challenges. Others don’t know what to do with expectations they perceive around them, that are about them. Continue to allow them to feel safe talking about sensitive topics by practicing those listening skills. Keep your mind open. They will know you care about them and want them to end up with good things in their life. This helps them to respect your values including the expectation that they steer clear of alcohol and other drugs.
