NSC announces recipient of 2019 Teen Safety Award

Columbus, OH — The DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team is the 2019 recipient of the Teen Safety Award, presented annually by the National Safety Council.

Announced in a July 16 press release, the Teen Safety Award recognizes an individual or organization working to improve teen safety and save lives. DCPLT “stood out because its efforts have had a measurable impact on protecting teens,” the release states.

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. 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.

“Since 2011, the Prevention Leadership Team has made remarkable strides in protecting teens in DuPage County,” Morgan Cihak, program manager for the National Safety Council, said in the release. “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.”