Youth Leading Change wins at statewide prevention summit

A project by Safe Streets' Youth Leading Change won first place at the 2010 Spring Youth Forum, a statewide event on substance abuse held at Great Wolf Lodge last week. The team from Stadium High School beat out 41 other groups with their project called "The Doctor is in," which focused on the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

Team members Anthony Wood, Jarquiz Walker, Emily Peterson, Tiffany Ewell, Sarah Cuddeback and Drew Johnson will receive a scholarship to attend the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America conference in Washington, D.C.

For their project, members donned lab coats and distributed fact-filled prescription bottles. They also developed a public service announcement. The PSA was shown in all Stadium High School classrooms and is current airing on Click! Cable TV.

“These young adults demonstrate a growing awareness of the prescription drug threat and an eagerness to alert their peers to the problem,” said Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna. “We’ve seen a stunning spike in the number of kids experimenting with prescription drugs.”

Along with Stadium, Safe Streets sent teams from Lakewood, Wilson and Mount Tahoma chapters to present their projects at the forum. The annual event is sponsored by the Attorney General’s Office.

Youth Leading Change is a program that hones teens’ leadership potential while they serve their schools and community. Youth Leading Change receives funding support from the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation.

Safe Streets Campaign is the first private, non-profit organization that unites neighbors against crime—a model for other programs nationwide. Serving Tacoma and Pierce County since 1989, Safe Streets equal a safe community. Both private and public funds support Safe Streets’ community efforts. Learn more at www.safest.org.

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