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Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania
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PARENTING RESOURCES
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RESPONSIBLE PARENT NETWORK
Responsible Parent Network
The Youth Steering Committee of Upper St. Clair is building a Network of parents in our community who are committed to the idea that our young people need all the benefits that we can give them. We know that natural biological changes to their bodies occur during the teen years and nothing should be allowed to interfere with this maturation process. Young bodies and minds can be badly damages by alcohol or drug use. The Committee hopes to spread the word from family to family and build a strong base from which we can change the attitude that "everybody's doing it."
Most parents are willing to accept responsibility for creating an environment where healthy growth can occur. The problem is that we sometimes feel that as parents we are in isolation. Without evidence to the contrary, it is difficult to convince our children and young adults that, indeed, everyone is not doing it.
What can the average parent do? Plenty! We have every right to forbid alcohol and drug use by our own children and to forbid their use by visitors to our homes. Many parents think that children should be taught to drink responsibly. Evidence, however, shows that when parents say "absolutely not", alcohol and drug use is greatly reduced. Some parents feel awkward about approaching the issue based on their own experiences, so they refrain from discussing it. Substance abuse is a subject that parents must discuss with their children.
By uniting in this Network, parents can gain strength from knowing that they have a support system in our community. Parents are the single most important deterrent to drug and alcohol use.
We invite you to join this support system by completing a Responsible Parent Network Pledge. Parents who sign the pledge agree to supervise parties held in their home, to forbid alcohol use by underage guests and to forbid drug use. A directory listing names and phone numbers will be published and distributed. Parents can make a quick phone call to verify particulars about a social invitation, knowing that it will not be an unwelcome intrusion.
Additional copies of the Responsible Parent Network Pledge are available through the Youth Steering Committee, the school PTAs, the high school PTSO, the School District Office, the Township Recreation Department and at all Upper St. Clair Schools.