2017 FILE PHOTO — Prevent Together gives out “most youth don’t!” bracelets in an effort to halt the perception that most kids are using drugs or alcohol.
The D.R.E.A.M. team has logged close to 600 hours toward preventing drug and alcohol abuse in the Battle Ground community. Top row (left to right): Jason Johnson II, Aden Rowe and Samuel Boucher. Bottom row: Emma Boucher, Sydney Marsh and Madalyn Arrowsmith
On President’s Day, a group of freshmen from Battle Ground headed to the state capitol in Olympia to discuss the prevention of drug and alcohol use among youths.
Jason Johnson II, Aden Rowe, Madalyn Arrowsmith, Sydney Marsh and Emma and Samuel Boucher make up the D.R.E.A.M. team (a loose acronym for “dedicated, remarkable adolescents making a difference”), a group sponsored by Prevent Together Battle Ground Prevention Alliance.
Their trip up north was focused on meeting with other youths and mentors who share a common goal and, more specifically, to advocate for raising the smoking age to 21. That effort is currently working its way through the Legislature via House Bill 2313, which is co-sponsored by district 17’s Paul Harris (R-Vancouver). The local group also hopes to help keep drug prevention funds, which come from state marijuana taxes, from being funneled into the general fund.
More than anything though the 13-hour day trip to Olympia served as an inspiration for the six teenagers who are taking on drug and alcohol abuse among their peers in Battle Ground.
The D.R.E.A.M. team has been together since last summer and meets every couple weeks to coordinate and plan various youth-focused events around the community. Those events included “Spooktacular Fun!” on Halloween last year, when they coupled a night of bowling with education on underaged drinking, along with helping and speaking at an event a few weeks ago where local youths and parents met with Battle Ground Police Chief Bob Richardson to discuss marijuana use.
Together, the team has logged close to 600 hours of service toward the prevention of substance abuse in Battle Ground.
So, why would six high school freshmen spend their time this way?
For most of them, it's personal — not just about keeping their friends at school away from drugs and alcohol. It’s about setting an example for a younger sibling or relative.
Johnson told the story of his cousin in Los Angeles whose father is a drug dealer and how setting an example for him is a motivation.
Tapping into the unique perspective of a high schooler, Arrowsmith talked about the misconception that their activism won’t carry the same clout because they’re not adults.
In reality, she said, when adults come to the school to speak on substance abuse, it’s often seen as a broken record and few listen. But when it comes from a peer, a friend, it sinks in.
“Youth listen to youth,” she said.
Samuel Boucher pointed to the reality of how most high schoolers think and how to use that as a tool. He said that explaining to them over and over the long term effects of substance abuse doesn't always resonate. However, telling them that it causes bad breath, darkens teeth, and other specific health effects does.
The group also said that while they feel encouraged by the change they’ve seen through their work, it is an ever-present issue.
Arrowsmith said she’s been approached at school about whether she wants to buy or sell weed, and Johnson II added that a few of his friends continually show up to school high. Just on his way over to last week’s meeting, he came across a group of high schoolers smoking.
The super-six is led by coalition coordinator Kathy Deschner, who, along with steering committee member Bonnie Gilberti, recently traveled to Washington D.C. for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's 27th annual National Leadership Forum.
Along with 3,000 other substance abuse prevention specialists and advocates, they met with federal leaders, senators and congressional representatives about prevention. The gathering is the biggest of its kind in the country.
Deschner explained that Prevent Together’s overall goal is the prevention of drug and alcohol use among youths in the Battle Ground community.
She points to countless studies showing the effects that substance abuse can have on the developing brain. She said the goal is to keep them off of the big three (tobacco, alcohol and marijuana) until they’re 21. Studies have shown that if a youth takes part in just one of the three substances, they’re much more likely to try the other two as well.
Gilberti said that along with talking with young people, educating parents and guardians is a top priority.
“Parents are the number one influence,” she said. “It's important to talk early and often with your kids.”
