The Taney County Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT) has partnered with local law enforcement and school districts on a letter designed to encourage the parents and guardians of local high school seniors to talk with their kids about the risks related to underage alcohol and other substance use. The letter will be sent out to parents / guardians of seniors in two local school districts. The letter was also sent to local media in hopes that the message will be shared with families in other school districts.
| Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of 2023 Graduates,
We would like to congratulate you and your senior as graduation day approaches. The Taney County Sheriff’s Department, Branson Police Department, Hollister Police Department, Branson R-IV School District, and Hollister R-V School District join the Taney County Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT) in encouraging graduates to enjoy and celebrate end of the year festivities in a safe and responsible manner, without the use of alcoholic beverages or other substances. This time of year, we appreciate the open conversations between parents and their children about the dangers of underage drinking and substance use. It is all of our hope that the celebrations result in a lifetime of wonderful memories, not regrets. Today, statistics show increased popularity in house parties where alcoholic beverages and other substances such as marijuana are being provided to minors. A survey administered to Taney County high school students showed of those who used substances, the majority got the substances from friends or family. Please remember that it is illegal for an adult to knowingly allow or fail to stop any person under 21 from drinking alcohol on their property. It is against state law for anyone under the age of 21 to consume, purchase, or possess alcohol. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy, possess, deliver, use, manufacture, and sell marijuana in the state of Missouri. Taney County ADAPT cares about preventing underage use of alcohol, marijuana, and other substances. We encourage you to use this information when talking with your graduating senior. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/teens.html · Binge drinking impacts memory and learning. Brain development continues into early to mid-20’s. · Alcohol and marijuana use can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety, increasing risk of suicide. · Alcohol and marijuana can impair coordination, decreasing reaction time and concentration when driving, potentially causing fatal injuries. If you would like additional information on this topic or would like to learn how you can get involved with Taney County ADAPT to prevent substance use among our youth, email us at Taneyadaptcoalition@gmail.com. Together we can work to safeguard these exciting times and truly make them memorable for our young adults. We appreciate your efforts in making this happen in our community. Sincerely, |
