Youth Leadership

Youth Conversations on the effects of:

 

Alcohol 

• By the age of 15, nearly 35% of teens have had at least 1 drink
• By the age of 18 nearly 85% of teens have taken 1 drink
• 11% of alcohol in the United States is consumed by youth between 12-20 years
• About 1 in 7 teens binge drinks, yet only 1 in 100 parents believe his or her teen binge drinks.

 

 

Marijuana

• The teen brain is still developing and it is especially vulnerable to drug use
• Heavy Marijuana use by Teens is Linked to:
  • Educational Outcomes (lower grades and exam scores/less likely to graduate/less likely to enroll in college)
  • Life outcomes (lower satisfaction with life, more likely to earn lower income)

 

 

Rx Drug Data

• The number of deaths from prescription drugs has passed that of heroin and cocaine combined.
• Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse cause changes in the reward system decreasing normal level of pleasurable activity. Personality changes creating psychosis from otherwise normal behaviors.
• Opioids (Sleepiness, Confusion, Nausea, Breathing problems, and Coma.)
• Depressants (Slurred speech, shallow breathing leading to overdosing and sudden death, disorientation and lack of coordination.)
• Stimulants (Increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, decreased appetite/sleep causing poor health, Intense anger and paranoid episodes & higher risks for other medical complications due to high dosing from tolerance build up.)

 

YTC Council Leadership Training

• Module I:
  • How to conduct meeting
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • Communication-Presenting /Listening.
• Module II:
  • Setting and Achieving Goals
  • Decision Making
  • Stress/Conflict Resolution
• Module III:
  • Leadership—Lead/Follow
  • Community Awareness
  • Community Advocacy

 

Educational Opportunities

• YTC Leadership Training
• Basketball Camps
• Digital Media Arts Camp
• CADCA Leadership Forums (Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America) www.cadca.org