Youth Advisory Council discusses drug, alcohol abuse
Published on Mon, Apr 4, 2011 by BY PAM STEVENS | MANAGING EDITORRead More Local News
Most teens don’t want to drink or do drugs, however many are pressured by peers to try things they really don’t want to be a part of.
At Thursday night’s Youth Forum presented by the Lake Stevens Family Center’s Youth Advisory Council, or YAC, adults and community leaders learned first-hand just how prevalent peer pressure is when it comes to drinking and drugs. The affect of friends and peers abusing drugs was a major topic of concern also.
Adrian Davila, Jake Olsen, Chase Evans, Brendan Gould, Lyndsie McAllister and Koryanne Christier created a panel of six students from three different schools within the Lake Stevens School District who openly answered questions regarding teen alcohol and drug abuse.
The evening began with a film which was written, filmed, acted and edited by the youth council members which showed how kids first become addicted and the isolation that comes with that addiction.
“It was extremely well done for an amateur cast and crew and sends a very clear message to people who watch it,” Kathleen Friend, Director of the Lake Stevens Family Center said.
A 24-year recovering addict was there to speak to the crowd regarding his experiences. The video brought him to tears.
“He was there to talk about Narcotics Anonymous and spoke after the film was shown. When he referenced the film he was emotionally choked up, near tears and was unable to talk,” Friend said. “Once he regained his composure and was finally able to speak, he stated with tears in his eyes, that while he was watching the film from his table he was crying because it was so real to life and brought back so many memories of the addiction and isolation that it moved him in a way that much has not in a long time.”
Cocoon House, Washington State Liquor Board and LSHS Natural Highs Network were also highlighted on the program.
Several community leaders, parents and teens enjoyed the evening while being educated on this very real subject and found out ways to help and support teens within the community.
The Family Center wants to thanks all of those would participated in the event.
“And of course the Youth Advisory Council for their work, honesty, bravery and concern for their future and that of their peers,” Friend said.
Youth Advisory Council members include Volunteer Facilitator - Tiffani Maynard; President, Jasmyn Friend; Vice President, Adrian Davila; Members Cody Hartman, Brendan Gould, Chase Evans, Korynne Christler, Sydney Connor, Lyndsie McAllister, Reminten Kitburi, Tyler Bennett-Worden, Jameson Dennis, Sammi Hartman, Ryan Sigman, Jake Olsen and
Thomas Dobrich.
At Thursday night’s Youth Forum presented by the Lake Stevens Family Center’s Youth Advisory Council, or YAC, adults and community leaders learned first-hand just how prevalent peer pressure is when it comes to drinking and drugs. The affect of friends and peers abusing drugs was a major topic of concern also.
Adrian Davila, Jake Olsen, Chase Evans, Brendan Gould, Lyndsie McAllister and Koryanne Christier created a panel of six students from three different schools within the Lake Stevens School District who openly answered questions regarding teen alcohol and drug abuse.
The evening began with a film which was written, filmed, acted and edited by the youth council members which showed how kids first become addicted and the isolation that comes with that addiction.
“It was extremely well done for an amateur cast and crew and sends a very clear message to people who watch it,” Kathleen Friend, Director of the Lake Stevens Family Center said.
A 24-year recovering addict was there to speak to the crowd regarding his experiences. The video brought him to tears.
“He was there to talk about Narcotics Anonymous and spoke after the film was shown. When he referenced the film he was emotionally choked up, near tears and was unable to talk,” Friend said. “Once he regained his composure and was finally able to speak, he stated with tears in his eyes, that while he was watching the film from his table he was crying because it was so real to life and brought back so many memories of the addiction and isolation that it moved him in a way that much has not in a long time.”
Cocoon House, Washington State Liquor Board and LSHS Natural Highs Network were also highlighted on the program.
Several community leaders, parents and teens enjoyed the evening while being educated on this very real subject and found out ways to help and support teens within the community.
The Family Center wants to thanks all of those would participated in the event.
“And of course the Youth Advisory Council for their work, honesty, bravery and concern for their future and that of their peers,” Friend said.
Youth Advisory Council members include Volunteer Facilitator - Tiffani Maynard; President, Jasmyn Friend; Vice President, Adrian Davila; Members Cody Hartman, Brendan Gould, Chase Evans, Korynne Christler, Sydney Connor, Lyndsie McAllister, Reminten Kitburi, Tyler Bennett-Worden, Jameson Dennis, Sammi Hartman, Ryan Sigman, Jake Olsen and
Thomas Dobrich.
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