Talbot Youth Attend Youth-to-Youth International Conference in Rhode Island

Five members of the Talbot County Youth Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention recently attended a Youth-to-Youth International conference at Bryant University in Springfield,Rhode Island. The students, who included Austin Spurry of St. Michaels High School, Sawyer Spurry, graduate of St Michael’s High School and college student at the University of Maryland; Rachael Whiting of Easton High School, Morgan Whiting of Easton High School, and Dajwan Emory of Easton High School, were accompanied by Talbot County Youth Coalition leader Gary Pearce, director of Talbot Partnership for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention.

Youth-to-Youth International provides annual leadership conferences led by teens, alongside adults, to provide training to initiate or improve local youth programming. The conference includes motivational speakers who discuss how youth can make positive choices, change behaviors and make connections that count. The conference also includes training to equip the teens with the skills they need to effectively engage youth in positive change, leadership and advocacy.

The Talbot County Youth Coalition for Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Prevention is a youth-to-youth leadership program which provides drug-free activities for youth.

The objective of the program is to get youth involved in addressing Talbot County’s growing substance abuse and addictions problem by finding solutions. The local Coalition is part of the Youth-to-Youth International program, a research-based community effort that encourages and supports drug-free youth. The Youth Coalition is a proven research-based prevention program that is used successfully across the country. The program includes:

· A clear NO tobacco, alcohol, or any other drug policy

· Strong teen leadership, with responsibility for planning their own prevention initiatives and activities.

· Focus on issues that teens are most likely to face; alcohol, drugs, peer pressure, sexuality, suicide, etc.

The Youth Coalition is looking for new members, ages 13 through 18, interested in taking a leadership role in the community. The Youth Coalition is hosting a free “back-to-school” roller skating party on Friday night, August 26, 2011 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hog Neck Community Center in Easton. Music and refreshments will be provided. The event is being cosponsored by the Talbot County Parks and Recreation Department.

If you are interested in helping to plan future youth events, please contact Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067, e-mail gpearce@talbotpartnership.org, or visit www.talbotpartnership.org.

In photo: Five members of the Talbot County Youth Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention recently attended a Youth-to-Youth International conference at BryantUniversity in Springfield, Rhode Island. Pictured left to right are Talbot County Youth Coalition leader Gary Pearce, director of Talbot Partnership for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention; Rachael Whiting of Easton High School, Morgan Whiting of Easton High School, Dajwan Emory of Easton High School, Austin Spurry of St. Michaels High School, Sawyer Spurry, graduate of St Michael’s High School and college student at the University of Maryland.