SAFETY CITY U.S.A. HOSTS SESSION ON PEER PRESSURE FOR BOYS

"Just the Guys," an interactive education program for boys ages

 12 to 15, to discuss harmful consequences of high-risk behaviors and

 the influence of peer pressure on today's adolescent males.

Monday, Sept. 29,6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Safety City U.S.A.

Northwood Shopping Center

30955 N. Woodward Ave. (at 13 Mile Road)

Royal Oak

AND

Shrine High School

3500 W. Thirteen Mile Road (west of Woodward)

Gym

Royal Oak

Fee: $20 per person.Dinner and snacks will be provided. Class

size is limited to 24 boys. Call Beaumont Hospital's Physician

Referral line toll-free at 1-800-633-7377 to register. Contact Safety

City U.S.A. at 248-551-0103 for more information.

Adolescent boys face daily pressures from peers and those closest to them. Does your son know how to handle situations that can lead to making both risky and irresponsible choices?

Safety City U.S.A. is taking steps to help make a difference."Just the Guys" is an interactive program to educate boys ages 12 to 15 about the harmful consequences of high-risk behaviors and the influence of peer pressure. The program is taught by male high school seniors under the guidance of two male Beaumont Hospital Emergency Center nurses.

"Adolescent boys can be heavily influenced by their peers and regrettably these influences are not always positive," says Kathy Parish, R.N., pediatric trauma nurse coordinator, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak and program coordinator, Safety City U.S.A."In fact, these influences often result in poor decisions leading to high-risk and often life-threatening behaviors. That's why it's so important they understand the dynamics of peer pressure and know the right thing to do before they get into a dangerous situation. Safety City is providing them the knowledge and tools necessary to avoid high-risk behaviors."

Topics of discussion include alcohol and recreational drug use, teen driving, dating, violence and suicide.

The class will be held Monday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. at Shrine High School, 3500 W. Thirteen Mile, Royal Oak and Safety City U.S.A., located in the Northwood Shopping Center, 30955 N. Woodward Ave. (at 13 Mile Road) Royal Oak. Cost is $20 per person. Dinner and snacks are provided. Class size is limited to 24 boys. The first part of the program will take place in the Shrine High School gymnasium and the second half at Safety City U.S.A. Call Beaumont Hospitals' Physician Referral Service toll-free to register at 1-800-633-7377.  Contact Safety City U.S.A. at 248-551-0103 for more information.

Safety City U.S.A. is Michigan's first and only year-round, nonprofit injury prevention center. Its programs are dedicated to instructing children, teens, adults and seniors in safety education. Safety City U.S.A. is a collaboration of Beaumont Hospital and the Royal Oak Fire and Police departments.

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