Positive Alternatives

Teaching leadership just might be the remedy for helping teens make good choices with alcohol and drugs. 

Leadership development enhances the capacity to see beyond challenges. Joel Pelland, Pelland Performance Consulting , shares his vision on how to position yourself, and your young athlete, for  more successful results in whatever goal you are endeavoring to attain.

Some suggestions on how to address the long term health problem of underage drinking. Hint: It Starts At Home. Also some words to express my deep thanks to all of our Jonathan D Petit Regional Sticker Shock participants! PEACE.

In this episode, six young teens share their thoughts about underage drinking. It should come as no surprise to anyone listening; access to alcohol for our teens is as easy as one - two -three. "If They Can't Buy It, Don't Supply It". Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.  #PositiveAlternatives #Teenstrong #stickershockcampaign 

Matt Cassity - 360 Youth Services - Naperville - and Rich Wistocki - Be Sure Consulting - are two youth-focused adult leaders who are connected with Naperville's teens. While their respective labors transcend city boundaries, their hearts are always with the city they love.  

Amy Voss - Shatterproof - and Felicia Miceli - LTM Foundation - know that there is no other path than the one that moves forward. These two Moms, each in their own way, inspire those who care and support their missions. Passion moves them and love is the fuel for their engines.

Taylor Dockter - Impact Spartanburg - and Augie Ghilarducci - 2nd Opportunity LLC - provide some Positive Messaging as well as updates to how the work they each do has been impacted since Covid 19 changed the way we live. Undeterred, they continue to move in a forward direction.   

Jennifer Cifaldi, Illinois Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, and Ben Pohl, Public Speaker, share some messages on how they keep putting one foot in front of the other as they prepare for their next steps. Ben Pohl Speaks Illinois Traffic Safety Resource Program

Danielle Brengel, of the Illinois Human Performance Project, and Gil Feliciano, Drug Free Communities Coordinator, share Positive Perspectives of how they continue to move forward in the face of Covid 19. While it's not always easy, it is always necessary. Illinois Human Performance Project - Home ILHPP Virtual Summit - Everybody Welcome! Community for a Safe and Healthy Elgin - Facebook

For some, wisdom comes earlier in life...before the grey hair and stiff knees.  Jordan Esser, Project Coordinator - DuPage County Health Department, along with motivational speakers Matt Matkovich and Phil Januszewski - M&P Presentations; are adjusting to these new life changes by using the tried and true techniques of love, family, and hope.  DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team M&P Presentations DuPage County Health Dep't.

Rita Kreslin, the Executive Director of The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, and Gilda Ross, Glenbard Parent Series, are guiding their own respective missions through these new and wide open seas. In this episode they kindly share messages of better  days to come. We're in good hands.   Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists AAIM - Facebook Page Glenbard Parent Series Glenbard Parent Series - Facebook

Dr. Aaron Weiner, Director of Addiction at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, and Dagmar Kauffman, Founder of On Balance Parenting, share some positive thoughts for these ever changing days. Tips For Managing Your Anxiety about Coronavirus - Dr. Aaron Weiner COVID 19 Tips for Health Professionals - Dr. Aaron Weiner On Balance Parenting

We are always faced with making choices and we will always live with those choices we make. This closing of our family circles reinforces our interdependence on one another. We must choose wisely.   #TogetherWereBetter #PositiveAlternatives 

I began to promote my Social Media Campaign about Alcohol Awareness Month (April) and I quite simply couldn't do it. I kind of felt the people of the world might be pre-occupied. #beatthevirus #defeatthevirus #peacetoall 

Not often do we go through such a global concerning event as we seem to be doing with our new corona virus infected life. We can, and will, get through this latest challenge that is happening during our own journey here on the 3rd rock. Keep your head up and let's get to it.

What will we learn from this ever changing coronavirus ride through the planet? Will we take lessons from the coronavirus future studies and develop corrective actions? Will we apply the corrective actions to future pandemics?

In the heat of a tough parent/teen discussion, cooler heads will prevail.

Canna-Business. The business of legalized weed is following the alcohol business playbook. Will we be smarter as to how we manage weed's access to our teens?

How does addiction work? It works by hijacking the brain. Similar to diabetes impairing the pancreas or heart disease damaging your ticker; addiction attacks your brain. The toll on individuals and families is immeasurable.

It hasn't taken long for some changes to come to the DUI Court I monitor as a result of legal cannabis in Illinois. An increase in arrests? No. But some interesting, but not surprising (I suppose) requests, from the Defense.

I share a quick story about a Statutory Summary Suspension Hearing as well as some reflections regarding my interview from two weeks past and my own thoughts about what was left unsaid regarding Social Hosting laws. https://www2.illinois.gov/ilcc/Education/pages/parental-responsibility/know-the-law.aspx

Taylor Dockter, who spends her days as Project Coordinator for Impact Spartanburg DFC and also a Senior Prevention Specialist for The Forrester Center for Behavioral Health, spends her spare time advocating for the victims of human trafficking. There are so many things that need our attention. The pain of Human Trafficking should be near the top of anyone's list. www.impactspartanburg.com  

In this episode the nicely dressed young lady heads off to jail while the alleged DUI Counselor who allegedly defrauded insurance companies is fighting back in court. It's always good to go home to a great wife and a great life as Retired Guy.

Larry Mishkin, Hoban Law Group, represents individuals who hope to open recreational marijuana stores in Illinois. I am sure you may find yourself shaking your head at times, but the important thing is to have open dialogue, and a calm mind. Our teens are worth it. Larry Mishkin - Hoban Law Group

In the episode we share words from past guests as to what single thing they would do to leave the wold a better place. Worthy of hearing again...and again.

The first few days of legal weed sales in Illinois made for good reading in the local newspapers. Time will tell the whole story. 

Yesterday I entered one of Illinois newly designated recreational marijuana stores and made a purchase. Why would I do such a thing that runs counter to my message? You will have to listen to find out.  

What seemed simple turned into exasperation; until I took a seat and looked at the problem from a different angle. Happy New Year my friends! www.positivealternatives.net

After all these years the memories remain close to the heart.   www.positivealternatives.net

Focus on REAL problems, not made up ones. We all will be better off for you sage choice.

Ben Pohl suffered serious injuries when he drove distracted 17 years ago during his teen age years. In an era when we are mesmerized by our smartphones, Ben reminds young people that there is more to driving distracted than simply locking your eyes onto your electronics when you drive. www.benpohlspeaks.com  

Nothing new under the sun. The first arrest for Marijuana in Illinois after January 1st for Driving Impaired will be big news. Those who are against the legalization of marijuana will point to the story as evidence of "I told you so". So sorry, but folks have been driving high for many years now on more than alcohol. What is old news will be made to appear as new news.

Felicia Miceli lives with Bella, who is her late son Louie's dog. She works day in and day out reminding parents and their children of the life and death struggle so many face with opioid and heroin addiction. Her son was first prescribed opioids when he was injured during high school athletics. Once the opioid took hold, he was never able to shake it. After years of fighting the disease he succumbed to it at the young age of 22. www.ltmfoundation.org  

Stress is insidious. When you lose a child the holiday season can be difficult. The decorations can be hard to put up. The favorite meal that he, or she, loved can be hard to prepare. The joy can be all too easily tempered by the memory and the wonder of what might have been. If you know a person who lost a child, give the gift of a story about their child that makes both of you smile. Give it freely and with love.

Not all who spend a career in helping others find the same path to success. It's our ability as humans to look at the same picture in different ways while still having the same goals at the end that lead us to a more successful result. If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room. - Joel Pelland

The perception that alcohol is not as problematic as other drugs is pervasive. That perception is at the root of the challenge to save young lives...and old.

Our interview with Augie Ghilarducci who spent 13 years in prison and now returns to those same prisons to help inmates find a better path upon their own release. He uses his experience to teach successful skills and provide a second chance.   2nd Opportunity LLC

Thanksgiving Eve, the time when the students come home from college to connect with old friends is one of the big party times of the year. Have a plan, enjoy the camaraderie, and get home safely.

We don't talk AT Teens, we discuss ideas and issue WITH teens. It's called communication on a respectful level. This is a refreshing conversation about leadership, growth, and vision for a brighter future. Great things afoot at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, IL.   Rams Committed Twitter

In this episode of 5 Minute Thoughts I share some observations about the art of getting started. Remember, showing up and getting started is half the battle. Once you cross that threshold you are on your way.

Part # 2 of our 2 part interview with Dr. Kathleen Burke. We continue our discussion on how substance use disorder is an evil foe not to be taken lightly. How many potentially great people have we lost to this insidious enemy? Will compassionate care lead us out of the darkness? Dr. Burke argues that Science is our best tool in this difficult battle to save lives.

When friends disagree it's important to remain friends. The value of friendship should not be overlooked. It is the ninth wonder of this world.

The Kathleen Burke Interview Part 1 - The journey to help others in their battle against substance abuse comes to Dr. Burke's home where she discovers the tales told to her by parents of children suffering from the disease of addiction becomes all too familiar. Not to be deterred, she buckles in for the battle.

In this episode of Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts, (which goes a bit over 5 minutes again, I just can't seem to keep my word) we discuss the merits of living a life the proper way through a plan of mind - body balance. You can't have one without the other.

Our interview with Dagmar Kauffman - Founder of On Balance Parenting, Collaborator, Peaceful Warrior, and Educator of Educators. We discuss how young people are losing out on the opportunity to grow and learn from their mistakes when parents step in and fix what may not really be broken.   On Balance Parenting

In this episode of 5 Minute Thoughts, I share how even us old guys need to work on the basics. Make that thing you wanna' do becomes that thing you easily do. Practice, practice, practice.

There are things that catch your eye when you are surfing the 'net. You know what I am saying. The Internet. Where you read it and just know it has to be true?

Instead of hiding from the conversation of death and dying, isn't a better idea to speak of it on occasion? I don't mean we need to dwell on it. We need to enjoy our precious time here on earth among the living. But it might be healthy for each of us to have a chat from time to time to help ease the inevitable pain we all have and we will leave others with when that time comes.     

In this episode we talk about how positive role models can help clear the view for teens seeking to make positive choices in their lives. It's always beneficial to have a good example to emulate as they live their best life.

In this 5 Minutes Thoughts episode I discuss one Positive Alternative is to make good choices. The focus is for you follow some easy, or maybe not so easy, steps to light your way.

According to an article in my recent AARP newsletter, the fastest growing rate for recreational cannabis users are people over 50 years of age. While we are rightfully concerned about how mixed messages are received by our youth when it comes to legalized pot; it seems the message is becoming pretty clear to our senior citizens on this issue.