Be the Change You Want to See

By Jasmine Gibson

After a week at the 30th Annual Youth Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Project (YADAPP) Leadership Conference, I feel it is impossible to not know now how to prevent myself and others from using drugs.

Between the motivational speakers, the endless leadership activities, breakout sessions, general sessions and just the fun and excitement that came with all of it, YADAPP turned out to be an unforgettable week for me and other high school members of the Youth Council of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County.

We were among 350 students from around the state taking part in this youth-led program on the campus of Longwood University designed to empower teens to become involved in preventing underage drinking and keeping our communities drug free. The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s education department sponsors the leadership week.

How could we forget the phenomenal stories of Chris Skinner and his car accident that cost him his mobility, all because of alcohol? How about Tiffany Eis and her near-death experience? She was left in the bathtub almost dead, because her body was intoxicated with all the drugs she took. She didn’t lose her mobility, thanks to her prosthetic legs, but her real ones had to be amputated.

But there were more cheerful and heart-warming stories like that of Yahya Bakkar, author of Beyond Motivation and The Ultimate Guide to Teen Life. Like many, Bakkar faced problems growing up. He was finally reunited with his mother two decades after she left him. His story of hope showed that just giving up on something you care about so much is not going to help you. It may take years, but unless it is impossible – which nothing is – never quit.

Speaker Ryan Porter had a similar message, although his mission was a little more extreme. Ever sail to Antarctica? As crazy as that sounds, Ryan Porter did just that – despite many people thinking he was crazy (who can blame them?). He still saved up money from supporters and made it happen. During the journey a storm hit, capsizing the boat and almost drowning him. But it’s the travel back that’s the real challenge, noted Porter, who is author of the book Make Your Own Lunch - How to Live an Epically Epic Life through Work, Travel, Wonder, and (maybe) College.

A key focus of our YADAPP week was developing Strategies to Act Now (STAN) Plans. You can’t forget about the life-changing STAN Plans that the different groups came up with. These STAN Plans were thought-out events and ideas that could change their communities and possibly lower the drug and alcohol user percentage. Our group came up with a plan that captured a $250 mini grant that will help us develop the plan this coming school year.

Our plan is to enhance Red Ribbon Week by targeting middle and elementary schools. We focused on the fact that some stressed kids may resort to the use of drugs. Our new and improved Red Ribbon Week would include motivational speakers and activities that were based on stress solutions with a festival at the end of the week.

I believe our STAN Plan will travel throughout our county and lower that percentage of drug users. I’ve never worked with such a determined and smart team like this one. With more kids like us, anything is possible. The YADAPP kids will change the world, one community at a time!

We are determined to be positive peer leaders and invite other teens to join us in the UPC Youth Council (online application available here). As Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Jasmine Gibson is a member of the Youth Council of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County. Jasmine attended Herndon High School last year and will be a junior at Stone Bridge High School this fall.

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County is a nonprofit organization with more than 60 community partners working together to keep youth and young adults safe and drug-free. Visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org and www.facebook.com/unifiedpreventioncoalition. Follow the group on Twitter at www.twitter.com/keepyouthsafe