I was privileged recently to attend a conference entitled, “The Faces of Substance Abuse” which is a workshop for professionals and Partnering Agencies who work to combat drug/substance abuse. I am new to this environment, being a newly hired employee for Scott Countians Against Drugs a/k/a SCAD and my mind is blown with all that I am learning….and from WHOM I am learning...
I heard speakers from all over Kentucky and even Florida discuss how insidious the drug abuse problem is in our nation. I heard seasoned professionals give out statistics. I heard Attorneys discuss legal remedies. I heard Physicians discuss medical helps. I heard a former/recovering addict share his life’s journey through drug abuse and back. Each was amazing and powerful.
BUT, what impressed me the most was a presentation given by a bunch of youth from “38 Kids and Counting: Building a Successful Youth Program” from Henry County, Kentucky.
While the adult-provided information was excellent, well presented and factual, it was these ten or so young adults who gave me hope. They were articulate in HOW they presented their information on combatting drug abuse among their peers but more importantly,
Their message was powerful…
Here is what I learned from these young people:
1) Don’t try to win the war against drug abuse, try to win mini battles right in your own back yard
2) When you deal with something invisible (drug abuse is generally hidden), you have to make it visible
3) Let your peers see that is a privilege and honor to be a part of the Army against drug abuse rather than giving in to those who would tell you it is more fun to be a user
4) Created programs in response to actual needs of your community rather than what a committee of activists come up with – ask the hard questions
5) Be willing to be self-critical and to accept criticism from others and use that knowledge to improve your program
6) Planning always equals fair division of labor, implementation and follow through and dedication of members
7) Never give up and always look up
8) Don’t look down on them because of their youth; youth has insight which age cannot have; age has wisdom which can helpfully guide youth; together, they can be a powerful coalition
One later likened the war against drugs to the war against sin…it will always be with us – and, all we can do is each commit to do our part, one person at a time, on life at a time, my soul at a time.
She took the same eight principles above and changed the focus from combatting drugs to that of combatting sin.
Amazingly, they all applied.
This from a young person too young to have committed very many “baddies” in her life….
I left their presentation with a greater understanding of the seriousness of drugs in our schools and small communities, a greater sense of urgency as an adult to do my part and a greater perspective of hope in our future leaders.
These young adults did not get paid for their heavy involvement in their communities, they did not get a grade to be reflected on their GPA status nor did they get accolades for their commitment to teaching their peers why not to do drugs. What they did get was the personal satisfaction of CARING about something greater than themselves.....a "mind-blowing" concept.
They care about their own bodies, minds and spirits
They care about their friends, family and teammates
They care about their school, church and activities
They care about their community
And, in that caring, they find the self-awareness, self-confidence, self-commitment it takes to choose to take the path of saying No to drugs which are the Anti-Care of life.
They said when the “care” is planted back into the hearts of people; the ability to say NO will grow and thrive.
And, perhaps most powerfully, they said care is a gift which each person can give to another person..
Which means we can all chooses to Care…
We can all choose to "share our care"
C A R E….a mind-blowing concept, starting with each of us.
So, as they said, “Let’s do!”
C A R E
Blessings,
Lesa
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