The Anti Drug…..YOU.

My sisters are 17 and 13. Like Alex and I, they are growing up blessed to the bone. Not only do they have a loving and supportive family, but an incredible moral and belief system that many children are not exposed to. They take family vacations, are active in the community, are both involved in extracurriculars like athletics (for Haley) and photography (for Danielle). One is a die hard music lover. The other is a Dancing with the Stars aficionado. With just a smile they can melt your heart and with a tear they can break it. They are sweet, normal kids. They are my sisters. But like many kids all over the country they are still susceptible to the pressures and accessibility of drugs and alcohol. Even with the death of their brother to a drug overdose, there is still a chance for both of them to alter the course of their lives forever through day to day decisions.

This entry is especially for those parents and guardians of children and teenagers nationwide. Let me make myself very clear. No matter what you instill in your children, how hard you try to control them and how much you want to believe they are good and pure, the reality is that they will make their own choices and their own destinies will play out as they will. Your job is to guide, support and love them; their job is to go their own way. With that said, all children/teenagers will hit an age where rebelliousness kicks in (some more than others). They will test you. They will argue. They will learn. Or they won’t.

In the meantime, all I can do is make a strong recommendation. As a once rebellious, argumentative, testing and learned child myself, the choices I have made in my own life could have turned me into a completely different person. But I’m lucky and happy to say that I am me. Some people aren’t so blessed in that regard.

Please take a look at this brochure, generously publicized by The Anti Drug. Also, I’d like to add that their slogan is “Parents. The Anti Drug.” Makes sense! EVERY PARENT should see this literature. Be informed. Be aware. Take control. These brochures for made for a reason, people! If you can, please pass this message on to other parents of teenagers.

Have a Blessed and Prosperous Week!

Posted with LOVE by Chelsea Laliberte
Founder, Live4Lali
Phone: 847.814.3988
Email: chelsealaliberte@gmail.com

It’s Only Taboo If You Don’t Talk About It – Touching on the Stigma of Addiction

Let’s face it, anyone who has suffered from an addiction of any kind – drugs, alcohol, gambling, spending, sex, etc – more than likely has experienced some form of discrimination because of their disease. Even the topic of substance abuse in itself is associated with so many negative connotations. I have heard plenty of ignorant people make comments about addicts like, “he deserved what was coming to him,” or “what kind of a scumbag that guy must have been.” But what those uninformed people are missing is the fact that addicts don’t choose to become addicts! We live in a society where people want more, more, more…especially when they are told “no, no, no” by government, parents, teachers, leaders, etc (stay tuned for next week’s topic involving stigmas and government policies!). It’s human nature, with restriction comes temptation, with temptation comes action, and with action comes consequence. I’m not saying that if you drink you will become addicted to alcohol. I’m saying that there is a chance. There’s ALWAYS a chance for anything.

Just like cancer patients or diabetics, there are always precautionary measures one can take to prevent obtaining a disease. The same goes with addicts. No one goes out on a Friday night for a couple of beers with friends to try and get addicted to alcohol. Although, that same situation could expose someone to cancer from intaking second hand smoke at a bar. The point is, no matter who you are, where you come from or what you have done in your life – you are at risk for getting a disease.

“Oh, but alcoholics don’t have a disease, they just don’t know how to say no.”

Oh, really? Is that what it is? After Alex died and the articles came out about my family, I saw people make comments on the message boards similar to the quoted text above. Sure, Alex wasn’t contributing positively to his life or society because of his problem, but I can bet you 110% if he knew of a way to ask for help, he would have done it. As a vocal, honest and supportive family, we talked about so many things that families never even touch on. When you have a disease like alcoholism or drug addiction, there are things an addict is not able to comprehend  or communicate because of how the brain has chemically changed from the drug of choice. When I looked into Alex’s eyes, I never saw an ounce of deceitful desire in him. What I did see was someone who was lost. And when you are that lost, sometimes being found is easier said than done. That’s the reality I know.

Anyways, today I found an article that I thought was incredibly enlightening. HBO’s new series, Addiction, has become a phenomenon and has truly brought the reality of addiction into public view. If you are interested in reading about the inspiration for what I have discussed in this post, click here.

Let me know your thoughts about this as well! I love to discuss

Posted with LOVE by Chelsea Laliberte
Founder, Live4Lali
Phone: 847.814.3988
Email: ChelseaLaliberte@Gmail.com

AboutMyDrinking.org – a New, Anonymous and FREE Tool to Gauge Substance Abuse

One of the most critical hurdles in the addiction process is, well, discovering that you have one. People go months, years, even decades before seeking help for their substance abuse dependency. Addiction candidates shy away for a variety of reasons – fear, shame, comfortability in their situation, lack of knowledge – and some just aren’t ready to face their own reality. The addiction process, for most, is a life long road. Doctors, scientists and counselors all over the world are constantly testing and discovering new facts, treatment methods and the “whys, hows and whens” of addiction.

Hazelden, one of America’s most prestigious addiction treatment centers, has unveiled an incredible screening tool that when taken can gauge the test-taker’s relationship to alcohol or drugs. I took it! And in all honesty, probably because I would be too afraid to see if my tried and true drinking habits are in the health ballpark. Go to www.AboutMyDrinking.org and take this test! Just try it out, even if you don’t think you have a problem. The test results are so intricate and detailed, you will learn a few things.

This is a huge breakthrough, especially for those people out there who aren’t sure whether or not they have an addiction. The best part about this tool is that it is completely anonymous!

To learn more about this amazing and potentially lifesaving feature, click here!

Posted with LOVE by Chelsea Laliberte
Founder, Live4Lali
Phone: 847.814.3988
Email: ChelseaLaliberte@Gmail.com

Get Your Smoothie On and Give to Our Cause!

Tropical Smoothies Cafe located at 500 N. Hough Street in Barrington and Live 4 Lali have teamed up to put on a fantastic fundraising event this month! On Saturday, May 22nd from 2-5pm, Tropical Smoothies will donate 15% of all sales to our cause. We thank them so much for doing what they can to spread the word about our cause and substance abuse!

All you need to do is click on the flyer to the right, print it out and bring it with you to donate! The whole Live 4 Lali gang will be there…chowing down and getting the word out about out community’s substance abuse issues! Don’t miss it!

Contact Gary for more information at 708.707.0868.

Attention Parents of Teens and Youths in Lake County – Don’t Miss This!

After enough barking from us, other local organizations, community leaders and education officials there will finally be an informational community presentation/discussion about substance abuse in our schools. If you go to one meeting relating to your children this year, it should be this meeting! Stevenson HS, Buffalo Grove HS, Vernon Hills HS and Libertyville HS will be addressing the issues of most importance facing our children.

To check out the Daily Herald’s brief about this meeting, click here. For any additional information contact Stephanie Elsass at 847.415.4529.

Live4Lali’s Second Annual Disc Golf Tournament – 2 Months Away!

Wow, we cannot believe it has been a whole year since last year’s tournament! We couldn’t be more excited for some fun in the sun, reuniting with family and friends, and most importantly, promoting our fantastic cause. Click on the word ” flyer” where it’s highlighted for all of the details….oh, and don’t forget to fill out the little registration form at the bottom of the flyer and send it in before June 1st!

Live4Lali – Moving Across Country

Hello Everyone,

A quick hello from Los Angeles! Our efforts at Live4Lali have extended cross country. Not only are we working to promote the cause here in California, but our great friend, Tony Romano, is doing his part as well in Arizona by starting an AZ chapter of L4L! Thanks Tony, we appreciate you!

Also, stay tuned for a new and improved Live4Lali.org which will be coming available within the next month or so. It will be much more interactive for all of our fantastic supporters!

Any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at live4lali@gmail.com!

Best wishes for all and keep living for Lali!

- Chelsea, Jody and Gary

Recent Donations

Saint Mary’s School, Buffalo Grove, IL – Drug Prevention Program

September 12th – Happy 21st Birthday to our Beloved Alex! You are so loved and missed, each and every day and night. Our lives are so lost without you, but we go on because you give us the strength and you would want us to be strong. We are trying, Alex! We will never be the same without you!

Donations From The Disc Golf Fundraiser Held on June 27, 2009 Have Been Made To The Following Organizations:

Barrington Youth & Family Services:

www.barringtonyouth&familyservices.org

Prevention First

www.Prevention.org

The Share Program

www.leydenfamilyservice.org

Omni Youth Services

www.Omniyouth.org