This booklet, compiled by Tonka CARES, can help parents with
age-appropriate advice – from Preschool to College. “Advice
by Age” is used with permission from the Partnership for a
Drug-Free America at
www.drugfree.org
Reveal What's Real
Look for the Tonka CARES “Reveal what’s Real” campaign in the coming
weeks. This campaign will focus on marketing the message to students
that despite what students believe, most students don’t drink.
Working Together to
Reduce Underage Substance Abuse COLLABORATION
We can impact underage
substance use if we work together.
POLICY
Public and institutional
policies have a powerful impact
on underage substance use. We research what works and bring it
forward for consideration.
YOUTH
Young people have a
voice in our work.
Tonka Leadership
Challenge provides an opportunity for MHS students to pledge not
to use chemicals as part of their commitment to community
leadership.
PARENTS
Parents are empowered
through programs such as Eat.Talk.Connect and the Safe Homes
Directory. Parent classes, forums and we provide parents with
the resources they need to make informed choices
Initiatives:
Eat. Talk. Connect!
An initiative to increase connectedness
within families and communities.
What is Eat, Talk, Connect?
November 2009-January 2010 has been designated as the Eat.Talk.Connect
Challenge.
The Minnetonka
Schools, local faith communities, and Tonka CARES are joining together to encourage families to
develop stronger connections by continuing (or creating!) the habit of
sharing meals and engaging in meaningful conversation. Try to share at
least five to seven per week, and focus on conversation and connecting.
Studies support that connections to family and community are as
important to our mental and spiritual health as food is to our physical
health. Learn More...
Time to Talk
Talking to your kids about the risks of
drugs and alcohol isn’t as hard as you think. We’re here to help make
talking even easier. We’ve got free, easy-to-use, research-based tools
and tips to help you have ongoing conversations with your kids to keep
them healthy and drug-free. Check out our guide
"Teach your teen to cope with stress" or visit
Time to Talk.org for more resources.
Positive
Community Norms (PCN)
Like all of us, students have a tendency to believe that the prevalence
of risky behavior among our peers is higher than it actually is,
creating a misperception. When students' beliefs are not in line with
reality, they are more likely to engage in the very behaviors we are
working to prevent. To address these misperceptions, Tonka CARES is
implementing a proven approach called Positive Community Norms (PCN).
Based on a specific social norms marketing strategy developed at Montana
State University, the PCN approach first identifies what the norms
(actual majority behavior) are for a community, then examines where the
gaps are between perception (what we believe about others' behavior) and
reality (what our data shows us). Once the necessary data is gathered
and a more-accurate story emerges, the information is widely shared to
help close the gap between perception and reality. A large body of
research confirms that correcting misperceptions reduces the prevalence
of risky behavior. For more information, please visit
www.mostofus.org
KNOW the Power of Parents Each fall families who take the
pledge are included in
a directory to facilitate a network so
parents can communicate about their teens’
plans. Click Here
QUESTION: I
feel awkward calling a parent I don’t know.
Any suggestions for how to initiate a
conversation about adult supervision at a
teen gathering?
