Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council announced the DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team is the winner of its inaugural Teen Safety Award.
The Teen Safety Award recognizes an individual or organization working to improve teen safety and save lives. This year’s winner stood out because its efforts have had a measurable impact on protecting teens. An underlying focus of the Prevention Leadership Team is facilitating individual-level change by providing information and funding mass media campaigns throughout DuPage County.
“Since 2011, the Prevention Leadership Team has made remarkable strides in protecting teens in DuPage County,” said Morgan Cihak, NSC program manager. “Through its work, residents have been educated on teen substance use and mental health issues, with incredible results and support from the community. The National Safety Council applauds the work of this group, which truly deserves to be recognized as a leader in teen safety.”
Since being founded, the Prevention Leadership Team has seen alcohol and prescription drug use decline among DuPage County high school students, as reported by the Illinois Youth Survey. In addition, the group’s advocacy efforts for stronger prevention policy have resulted in six DuPage County municipalities raising the legal age to purchase tobacco and vaping products to 21 years old, long before Illinois made it a statewide law. The team’s work also led to two DuPage County municipalities adopting civil-style, social-host ordinances, which will aid in the prevention of adults and parents allowing underage drinking to occur at home.
The Prevention Leadership Team will receive its award Aug. 15 during a Board of Health meeting at the DuPage County Health Department. To learn more about the Teen Safety Award, contact Morgan Cihak at [email protected] or (630) 775-2162.
About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where it can make the most impact.
