Clinton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition

Parent Forums
This year the Clinton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is sponsoring local Parent Forums on Preventing Substance Abuse among Youth in communities across Clinton County.

An excellent resource for parents is the newly released book How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid, by national prevention expert, Joseph Califano. He is the founder of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in New York. The book is thorough, easy to read, and full of practical strategies for increasing communication with your child and setting clear boundaries to help prevent substance use and abuse.

At our first Parent Forum in St. Johns, St. Johns High School students presented 2009 MiPHY Survey data along with their perspectives on student attitudes toward alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and effective ways to continue to have a strong influence in your students’ lives. They also answered questions from the audience and did an awesome job! Karla Palmer, SJPS School Nurse presented tips for staying in good communication with your teen, and ways to support mental health in hectic student lives. Chief Mike Madden from the St. Johns Police Department moderated the evening and also answered questions from parents. Resources and handouts on parenting, recognizing early drug use, getting help, and encouraging positive development in kids were available, along with a free copy of How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid!

If you are interested in planning a Parent Forum in your community, please contact the Coalition at 989-224-5303 to make arrangements. This is an important time for your teen....stay connected!
Useful Articles
- Parent Who Host Lose the Most – The Clinton County Substance Abuse Coalition is sponsoring the Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don’t be a party to teenage drinking public awareness campaign county-wide to provide parents with accurate information about the health risks of underage drinking and the legal consequences of providing alcohol to youth.
- Parent Tips – If your teen is giving a party, please read these guidelines.

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