TEENSAVERS WISHES EVERYONE A SAFE AND SANE 4TH OF JULY

If
you are in your late 30s or early 40s, you know doubt know the message
of safe and sane.   Even through the last decade law enforcement
officers have still used the message to promote safe conduct on the 4th
of July holiday weekend.    But unlike the past, which focused on
fireworks safety, law enforcement officers now more than ever are
worried about the rampant drinking and drug use over these extended
holiday weekends.

I’ve seen, heard, and spoke with people who
started the 4th of July celebrations yesterday, Thursday the 30th of
June.    Believe it or not, others say they will party through the
5th.      Fireworks are mainly a thing in the past.   Here in Southern
California, street fireworks are mostly illegal, except for in some
small pockets.    In Irvine, where the Teensavers team is based, the
city eliminated street fireworks probably 25 years ago.

So instead
of more street sweeps for flowers, sparklers, and Piccolo Petes,
officers are setting up flares and cones and conducting DUI checkpoints
more aggressive than ever.  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has a
massive anti drinking and driving campaign this weekend.   They held or
assisted with checkpoints starting last night, and those will continue
through Monday.

This is a valuable time to remind your teen about
the dangers of drinking and drug use.   Parents most likely don’t have
to worry about their kids lighting fireworks.   But their kids may still
get badly burned by using alcohol or drugs.

This is also a good
time to consider a Teensavers Home Drug Test, if you are a parent.
Kids are out of school and many partake in drinking and drug use
already, with the extra “excitement” of partying around a holiday.
Parents should already be having the alcohol and drug conversations with
their children.    But they should take the time to reinforce the
message during the holidays.

Teensavers cares about children and
they want families to be healthy and safe during every holiday season.
If you have a child you suspect may be using drugs, test them.   If you
know that friends of your child are using drugs, alert their parents.
Too many parents worry about being a Tattletale.    You could be saving
another child’s life.