Dear Residents of Highland Park,
The holidays are a special time of year where friends, family and neighbors come together to celebrate. As parties are scheduled and travel spikes, there is an increased risk for youth including those students returning home from college for the holiday break. The rate of high-risk drinking, including under-age drinking, is alarmingly high. Statistics cited by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMSHA) indicate that nearly 400 young people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related causes every month. It is my hope that we do not add to this number. Parents and guardians can help to prevent adolescents from consuming alcohol during the holidays.
- Be mindful of your own drinking behaviors which provide a model for youths.
- Keep track of where your children are and what they are doing. They may be in the family room with their guests, but stopping in occasionally to be sure they are not drinking is a good idea.
- Ask relatives to respect your family rules if necessary.
As families and friends gather to celebrate, please be reminded that it is unlawful to host a party where alcohol is provided and or consumed by those under 21. It is also important to use designated drivers or taxis if you plan to drink at a party. Driving a vehicle when sober is already a challenging proposition in bad weather. Imagine the difficulty when attempting to do so when affected by alcohol or drugs.
Holiday Safety is an issue that burns brightly for all of us in Public Safety during this time of year. Please help us keep you and your families safe.
On behalf of the City, we wish everyone a safe and prosperous holiday season.
Sincerely
Mark Fleischhauer, Chief of Police