SADD teens impact effort to make county drug, alcohol free

  • By Dave Mast
  • February 4, 2010
  • 597
                        
While adults in the Holmes County Prevention Coalition (HCPC) are busy trying to create a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment for young people to grow up in, members of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) are promoting quality decision-making among the county’s youth. At the Thursday, Jan. 28 Prevention Coalition meeting, coalition members heard firsthand from student chair Katrina Miller, who updated the coalition members on the progress being made by SADD, and its plans for the upcoming year. Miller said that the group has already begun planning fundraisers for 2010, including movie nights, which will take place four times throughout the year, family game nights, a lock-in designed to bring both East and West Holmes students together, dances, the HCPC summer festival, and open mic nights at Java Jo’s designed for youth. She also said that they are already preparing for the Youth2Youth (Y2Y) Conference this summer. The hope is that they are able to take at least eight students to Y2Y. The cost is $389 per youth, and $400 for accompanying adults. While expensive, Miller said that the cost is nothing compared to what the experience offers. “The most important thing is that we continue to try to get the word out about SADD to other youth, and to urge them to get involved,” said Miller. Roberts praised the youth, and encouraged them to continue to pursue their goals, noting, “We’ve got a group of youth in West Holmes who are very excited and active in what they are trying to accomplish. Now we have added a leader (Erica Beck of Hiland) who is excited about getting SADD going over on that end of the county. What we need now is active adult advisors who can help lead.” SADD advisor Dawn O’Donnell said that the group has had very good turnouts for their larger functions, but would like to see more participation in their planning groups. The group also began exploring the possibility of getting both school districts involved through the art departments. Hiland principal Matt Johnson believes that both East and West Holmes schools would embrace the idea of creating art programs designed to promote the HCPC. He also noted that Tami Bucklew has volunteered to serve as an advisor in the East’s SADD group. “We’re thrilled to have Tami get on board,” said Johnson. “The kids need someone they know and will feel comfortable around, and Tami certainly fits that description.” West Holmes member Alec LeBlanc said that he has been going over the SADD manual, and he firmly believes that it is important to invest time in the elementary school age kids, where there would be a better chance of making an early impression that will stay with the youth as they get into high school. “We need to get to kids sooner, before peer pressure begins to really set in,” said LeBlanc. “We’ve been talking about getting the SADD members to go into the elementary schools to talk to the kids about drugs and alcohol.” “We would definitely invite that approach, as well as getting the coalition involved through the art classes,” said Johnson. Another creative idea the SADD members are trying to bring to life is the Youth Do Amazing Things program, in which teens nominate other teens who are doing positive things in their communities. They are also exploring the possibility of creating a book of pictures and stories and what it is like to grow up in Holmes County. SADD is the youth initiative committee portion of the Holmes County Prevention Coalition.


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