Florida students who pledge sobriety get discount shopping card in return

By Staff Writer

A Florida-based attorney is encouraging teenagers to stay away from drugs and alcohol by offering them cost savings at local businesses.

According to the Treasure Coast Palm, Lauri Goldstein has partnered with Tykes and Teens, The Children's Services Council of Martin County and local merchants to bring The Gold Card to middle school students. In exchange for their commitment to remain drug and alcohol free, kids can use the cards for savings at a variety of businesses, including pizza shops, a smoothie cafe, a video game store and a painting studio.

The cards were distributed to students to mark Red Ribbon Week, which spans October 23 to 30. Red Ribbon Week is a nationally recognized alcohol, drug and violence prevention campaign that is typically observed in October.

The executive director of Tykes and Teens, a nonprofit group that specializes in substance abuse prevention, said that The Gold Card is a new, creative way for community members to engage children.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents.