Youth Leaders Make A Video
Valley United Way Youth Leaders met on June 14th at Comcast to film a public service announcement for BHcare’s Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC). The commercial, aimed towards parents to prevent underage drinking and drug abuse, aired in both the Valley and New Haven areas. This public service announcement project was organized by Pam Mautte, Director of VSAAC, and Pat Tarasovic, Director of the Volunteer Center at Valley United Way. The video was inspired by a global campaign and the Youth Leaders helped come up with a new but similar script that best fit their community.
Valley United Way Youth Leadership students partnered with BHCare’s, Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC), in delivering an honest messages to parents about underage drinking and related issues through a public service announcement titled “Let’s Talk”. The PSA is one small component of VSAAC’s media campaign being implemented through their federally funded STOP Underage Drinking grant. The goals of the PSA is to increase parent’s awareness of the influence they have over their children and to educate parents on the concerns youth have about underage drinking and substance use in their communities.
Research and studies have shown that parents are the biggest influence on kids when it comes to drinking, smoking or using drugs. You may not think they pay attention, but research shows that the number one reason kids say they don’t use alcohol or drugs is because they don’t want to disappoint their parents!
Preventing kids from using drugs is an ongoing process, not a one-time program. It isn’t enough to expect kids to avoid drinking, smoking and using drugs just because they completed a program at school. While you have to do more than have a one-time talk, helping your kids avoid drugs is easier than you may think! For many parents, talking with teenagers about drugs and alcohol is truly scary. We recommend talking early and often, maintain good examples and state clear expectations.
What you can do NOW to start the conversation?
· Begin conversations as early as 8 & 9 years old
· Refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21
· Be at home when your teen has a party
· Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at other events your child will be attending
· Lock up your liquor & medications at home
· Monitor the amount of liquor in each bottle at home
· Clean out your medicine cabinet / Dispose of unused and outdated prescription drugs
· When you see a doctor do not accept a prescription for more than is needed
· Monitor your child’s use of social media
· Ask to see the photos on their cell phone
· Listen to their music on their iPod and talk about the messages in the lyrics
· Flip through magazines they are reading to see how topics like substance use are covered
· Use messages you hear or see in the media to engage in conversations with them
Valley Parents do make a difference.
To get involved or for more information visit vsaac.org
The Youth Leadership Program is made possible through the generous support of the Raymond P. Lavietes Foundation which provides core funding.
