It is no secret that across the country, youth are exposed to traumas and struggles that can that lead to unhealthy coping methods that often stick with them through adulthood. It is a cross generational issue: how we as people deal with life and death. The truth is: drugs are available, many are socially acceptable and some are easy to make. It is up to us to educate our families, our friends and our community about the dangers and alternatives to drug abuse and addiction.
Beyond education, it is extremely important to know that each person in this county has options. Everyone has a choice. Knowing this, and discovering one's passion comes from being surrounded by options and being encouraged by good role models.
We, the Meth Awareness Organization, strive to bring awareness to a lie. The lie that abuse of drugs and alcohol is a healthy way of living. We hope to offer something more to the kids. To show them that there is more to be and hope for than just spending a life being strung out. We offer them music and art and a place to meet and be with people who do things other than drugs and alcohol. We are offering an alternative to negativity through encouraging youth to believe that there could be something more for them. That they have a choice.
This year we are hoping to bring this event to Mendocino County. A place that is often celebrated for it's natural beauty, abundance of vineries and marijuana gardens. A place full of talent, with little talk about the disconnect between what greatness the community has and what destructive behavior exists. Ukiah is a land (like many) where drugs and alcohol aren't being discussed before youth are completely lost in them.
vital stats:
people impacted:
8,000
people involved:
65
why it's important:
In Mendocino County...
Parents aren't sure when to talk about it with their children. Kids don't have much more to do than hang out with their friends because there are few activities besides a movie theater and a bowling alley. It is important to myself and the Meth Awareness Organization because we believe we shouldn't wait any longer.. education, inspiration, motivation has to start not.
Drugs are not just an issue that is specific to one part of town or the colored people or the poor... the Meth, Marijuana, Alcohol etc. issue connects families across the county. This event plays a major role in simply bringing that fact to the surface... (that it is a county wide issue.) We facilitate the conversation, we bring people in with musical stylings they enjoy, activities to check out, good food to eat...
We acknowledge that few people will attend an event to be preached at, we feel it is important to hold this event so essentially everyone can speak if they feel they'd like to... people can get involved in the running of the event. More than ever this event is important in the spirit of community building and agreeing to be honest about the effects of drugs and alcohol within the area as a collective community.
We hold this event in high importance as a door, oozing out options for the youth that attend. Maybe even inspire an adult to turn their life around. We try our best (and believe we have succeeded) in restoring the belief within attendee's hearts that they can be whoever they want to be and they don't have to waste their time in the sea storm of Meth. And above it all, that their most passionate dreams are attainable and awesome.
the plan of action:
Our plan of action as of lately has been meeting with every link to the community that works within the drug world and pool of youth as we can. We really want the entirety of the community involved... we have met with the DA, the Sheriff, Public Health, several native tribes in the area... we are currently in contact with the Youth Project and are planning to approach the school district. We are currently meeting with at least three different people a day, communicating by email with others almost continuously.
Our main goal now is to et enough funding to be able to make the first move in booking flights to get out of area bands here. We will know within the next couple months how that will play out. One way we hope to involve the schools is by creating a coloring page with a message and facilitating an activity that aides them in connecting with their dreams.
We fly the bands in two days before to get them set up and ready to go.. we feed and house them and pay them.
The day of the event...We are planning to have a stage where bands will play country, rock, classical, blues, jazz, folk, hard rock, hip-hop and more... where speakers that are scheduled and community members will speak on the mic. There will also be performances from dance, gymnastic acts. We have been given a space to hold the event in (that is where the music will be) Outside of the gymnasium, will be vendors and informational booths set up and workshops simultaneously going on throughout the day. Face painting, an art station (hopefully a mural).
In the past four years that we had to concert in Pine Ridge SD.. Dramatic changes have occurred. Across the area youth are getting more involved in music and art. Young adults are returning to college to pursue their degrees. Other people within the Pine Ridge area are coming forward and standing up against the meth issue, standing up for their health and finding their creative voice. People are asking us about the next concert and how they can help, where they can get a sticker or a button. it was a struggle of course... like walking into a room of second graders and telling them not to eat candy EVER. Tough, but important.
Again, it's all in time. A lot of people are excited about this event in the Mendocino County Area and we are simply in need of more financial support to make it happen.
how you can get involved:
We are still accepting any amount of donation that anyone can spare... For the event itself we are always in need of paper goods, water, security, face painters etc.
We had a really wonderful run in South Dakota over the past four years. One of our members was elected the Juvenile Judge for the Tribe within that time and has been able to make some amazing changes. The community has made some impressive shifts since the first year and youth continue to discover their talents...
This spring, we are planning to switch gears and hold a concert in Northern California. No place needs it any more than another... This is a nationwide problem, and it's one community at a time at this point. Thank you to everyone for your kind words... check us out on myspace.. www.myspace.com/deathtometh
Bea_Compulsao_Diaria
Congrats.
today i was thinking why nobody did a We are the world agaisnt drugs, like in 1987 , many artisits and singers did for African children.
it´s nice to know you are trying to get the point.
Im from brazil,. My english is not good but i want to expresse myself anyway
Comments
Bea_Compulsao_Diaria
Congrats.
today i was thinking why nobody did a We are the world agaisnt drugs, like in 1987 , many artisits and singers did for African children.
it´s nice to know you are trying to get the point.
Im from brazil,. My english is not good but i want to expresse myself anyway
Thank you for your kind words.