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Road to Reality is an event targeting 5th through 9th graders and their parents to raise awareness of the physical, emotional and legal consequences of underage use of alcohol and/or use of drugs and the possible consequences of those choices. Students with their parents will come to the Woodson Center for Business and Economics at Blackburn College and be greeted by a number of resource tables providing information, parenting help, and brain and spinal injury prevention. After viewing the various resources they will then become observers down the “Road to Reality”.

The purpose of this activity is to recognize that children today are visual and interactive learners, that parents are the greatest influence on their behavior, and to impact their belief systems long before they find themselves in a situation that requires them to make life altering decisions.

The students and their parents will receive a map of the “Road” and travel in small groups (20-30 at a time) and led by a facilitator along the “Road” (the “Road” will consist of hallways and classrooms). High school students, Blackburn College Students, community organizations and emergency personnel participate by role-playing scenes along the “Road.” The program begins with a teenage party (with pretend alcohol) portraying how underage use of alcohol can cause teens make poor choices. The parents and students continue on by viewing a prevention “commercial” (Simple Plan’s Music Video “Untitled”) addressing the importance of making good choices. The next scene is the “accident scene”, a result of the teen’s poor choice to drive while under the influence (complete with donated car, emergency personnel, jaws of life, and law enforcement). The scene following the accident is an emergency room with Nursing staff and equipment. The group then travels on to the “courthouse” and the sentencing of the teen driver for DUI and involuntary manslaughter by a Macoupin County Judge (complete with “family members”) and a bailiff. The next “scene” is a short presentation by the Macoupin County Coroner’s office on the difficulties of talking to families in the event of an accident like the one they just saw.

The students and parents will then fill out an evaluation form and receive a baggie with goodies and an important prevention message. The students may also have their “map” stamped for proof of attendance should their school be offering extra credit for attendance.

At this time the kids and parents can browse the resource tables, have a snack, and participate in the obstacle course with the vision-impaired glasses if they haven’t done so already, or they can leave.

See It: The Community being helped

In my community, there is no education and/or alternate solutions for the prevention of destructive decisions in teenagers. Drugs and alcohol being the prevelent abusers, I wanted to start a group that would offer help, comfort, education, and opportunities to spread the word that such decisions can be avoided and a healthier lifestyle obtained. After exploring the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) website, I felt that it was exactly what my community needed: hope. This program designates a strict "no abuse policy," but in no way shuns those away that are looking to stop their addictions/problems. With hundreds of SADD chapters all over the United States, it was time for my area to join in and help those who wanted it most. As a senior, it is going to be a tedious job to get the club up and running; making sure it is continued after I graduate is my greatest goal. I have seen many people in the lowest parts of their lives, all because they abuse drugs and alcohol. If you are underage, there is no reason to drink. Nothing good comes from it. No drug is a "safe" one. My older brother died from an accidental overdose . . . there is no argument that could say drugs are not dangerous. I am starting this chapter not only to help others, but to let people know that they are not alone; there is somewhere to go to learn how to handle peer-pressure and avoid destructive decisions. It is my hope that after a few years of an in-school club, that the SADD chapter will grow into the community. Further participation in local activities will hopefully entice more residents to participate in the club and change our community for the better. I do not want to take the growing substance abuse epidemic lightly, I know that this area is fully capable of being "drug-free" . . . and I would love to know that I took part in making a difference.

See It: The Community being helped

Last summer, our community was schocked to hear of a 17 year old girl dying in a car accident on her way from a party to another party late one Saturday night. In a rural and small community, it seems that there are limited ways to "have fun." During school most kids play sports, so they tend not to resort to drinking. In the summer, however, drinking and partying are some of the most popular ways to enjoy summer. With the help of my mentor, Valerie Delyea who works for Boise County Community Justice, and co-planner Meleina Massey, who is a fellow student of mine, we will be planning and holding an Alcohol-Awareness Day for the Horseshoe Bend Middle and High school.
This will be a half-day assembly full of interactive things to do, testimonies, facts and a t-shirt contest. Our goal is to hold it a day or two before we are let out for spring break in order to refresh in the students minds the harmful effects and dangers of using alcohol. I have personally seen alchol become such a large part of peoples' lives that they forget who they once were, and what their goals used to be. Many of my friends spend so much time partying, that they begin making horrible decisions and putting themselves in harmful positions.
This event needs to take place in my town. The tragedy that happened to us last summer shouldn't have happened, and it doesn't need to happen again. It broke the hearts of so many, imagine how many more would be broken, and broken twice over. Adolescents deserve to know what they are doing to themselves and exactly what they are risking when they drink.

See It: The Community being helped

I began working on the Govenor's Substance Abuse and Violent Crimes Advisory Board for the State of Wyoming, in July of 2006, at age 20. I am a strong advocate for youth in crisis and recovery from drug addiction. I started out by traveling around the state, speaking out about meth. I use my personal experiences after being addicted to drugs and being in recovery to help others look at their personal lives and to empower them to make good choices.

I assisted in promoting the "Addiction" documentary that was on HBO in March 2007. I was featured in The Patnership for a Drug-Free America's, Road to Recovery Project, where I was taped for public service announcements which have been released and shown throughout the United States. I was also involved in the Youth Anti-Meth Campaign for the Office of National Drug Control Policies, where I shared my personal story, which was used on a poster that is being shared all over the United States. I served on The Community Action Board as a Youth Advocate, where we developed a County Methamphetamine Strategy.

I am now working for the State of Wyoming, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division, where I assist with the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant, meth education and awareness, serve as the Wyoming Affiliate for the Patnership for Drug Free America, and avocate for recovery. I am the President of the Cheyenne Oxford House and the Chairman of Oxford House of Wyoming Chapter 1. I now travel all over the United States, attending conferences and speaking out on drug addiction issues. I am also the Chairman of the Education and Media Committee for the Cheyenne-Laramie County Meth Intitiative.

I believe there is alot more work to be done in regard to our youth and drug addiction and I will continue to advocate for those in need.

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Alocohol related accidents is the number one cause death to teenagers. Over 3,500 teenagers are killed, and over 85,000 injured in alcohol related accidents each year. Some are innocent bystanters and some direct causes. Safe rides is a program that offers teenagers a sober ride home. If a teenager does not feel capable of driving, he/she need only call safe rides and someone will come and pick them up, and drive them home. Safe rides would also be available to teenagers who do not feel safe driving with the person who was supposed to take them home, or friends trying to help friends by calling safe rides for them, and not letting them get in their own car.

See It: The Community being helped

While the cause I chose is only a piece of the puzzle, it is a big piece. Teens in America are facing challenges that no other generation before them has faced. The media has set up programming that will coerce them into certain attitudes and lifestyle choices from the time they are young. For example, what they wear, moral authority, relationship choices, violence, etc. My desire is to give them an alternative to being raised by the media and bringing the hearts of the children back to the parents and visa versa. To do this I am working to establish a youth center in my community where young people can come and spend time with each other, their families, and escape the world outside that offers them so many unwholesome opportunities.

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Our MISSION is to provide a strong foundation for future generations by providing ALL children with an alternative to drugs, alcohol, crime, gangs and the streets, promote the importance of school, self-esteem, self-respect, respect for others and their community, and strengthen the goals and values that will lead them to a successful future. We are a special kind of BMX racing team. Members join and sign a Code of Conduct contract. Equipment, ABA membership fees and track racing fees are either paid for by the parents or through a scholarship from the team based upon family income and size. At the end of a year, if the member has followed the code, maintained good grades in school and showed the sportsmanship and dedication required, they are given their bike, uniform, helmet and asked to join for another year. Some of our children have special needs and may be troubled youth. Any violations to the code are handled on an individual basis, as are grade requirements in school. If a child is having trouble in school, we will try to help with tutoring to raise their grade average. There is a Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. We are looking for adults who love children and want to help us provide them with the skills that will lead them to a successful future. All volunteers must be willing to submit to a background check (for the safety of both the volunteers and the children). It would be beneficial if the volunteers participated in adult moto classes at the BMX track and knew bike maintenance. You can learn more about us, how we started and why we are forming our team by viewing our web page at: http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/ExtremeStrengthBMX/Home.aspx We have wonderful sponsors that are helping us get started. Some great BMX companies are offering us equpment at substantial discounts. We want to create teams of 10 members with 2 adult volunteers per team. We started our first team on July 1 and we are preparing to start our second team. We sincerely hope that the success we are seeing in our own community will spread to other communities and race tracks, and they will join us, spreading our team across the country. We hope you will join us in helping children to become successful adults while enjoying their childhood. If you have any questions we can answer, please feel free to contact us at . We'd love to hear from you.

See It: The Community being helped

My Dad and I have started a BMX racing team in our community. Dad is helping me to contact Foster Care, Integral Youth Services, The Angel Project, Child Development, the local military base and other orgaizations to reach children who are going though problems in their lives. They may be from families with gang orientation, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, abuse, divorce, deployment or parent death. These children may have emotional or physical problems. We are creating a team "family" to promote dedication, respect, sportsmanship and teamwork to form values these kids can use all their lives. We want to help troubled kids stay off drugs, alcohol, stay out of gangs, stay in school, away from crime and off the streets. They must sign a contract with their parent(s)/guardian saying they will abide by our Code of Conduct for a full year. They are given a uniform, bike, helmet, a year's membership in the American Bicycle Association and a year's racing fees at the local track (and any other track we may travel to when racing). At the end of the year, if they have not broken their contract, they are given all the equipment and are asked to remain a member of the team for another year. When they outgrow equipment, they are asked to "trade" it with us, and we will give them the next size bike, helmet or uniform under the same terms. We race twice a week, practice once a week, will be holding fund raisers and community service projects. Sponsors will be promoted on our equipment, team vehicles, bikes, signs at all our events and on our website(s). We currently have a web page up and running that shows our Code of Conduct and describes our project. This will be an ongoing project for many years to come and we want it to spread to other BMX tracks throughout the country. Please visit our site for more information. Thank you!www.sponsorhouse.com/Members/ExtremeStrengthBMX/Default.aspx

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The AWARENESS Program is a teen empowerment and community building program in which high school students use modeling to informally teach middle school students pro-social skills with a special focus in tolerance skills, during recreational activities that constitute healthy alternatives to alcohol/other drug abuse. Goal: To meet as regularly as possible. To begin to impact the substance abusing aspects of our schools culture by providing as many mentoring groups as appropriate. Population Targeted: Each group has at least twelve high school students and up to 35 middle school students who represent economically, ethnically, physically and socially diverse groups that include at-risk and achieving students per group. Training: The High School students are trained through the Mental Health Association on how to build self confidence and interact, plan and participate in fun activities and events with Middle School age student’s to promote substance free, fun events. AWARENESS is a mentoring program focusing on building developmental relationships (that focus on meeting the developmental needs of youth as opposed to fixing the youth, i.e., prescriptive relationships) The AWARENESS Program will be using 2 Mentors to 5 youth ratio so that we can maximize more one to one contact within the group. This group has an Administrator that is a High School Junior. There are two Coordinators per High School grade level. It is set up so that the underclassmen coordinators shadow and work within the group with the intent they will age up to the Senior Coordinating positions. The Mentors complete the training given by the Mental Health Association Trainer, they then run the group themselves with the support of one adult Consultant/Coordinator to ensure safety and help with funding and planning. I am the Consultant Coordinator for this group. Check out our web site www.hvinet.com/awareness/ Please feel free to call me with any questions. Sincerely, Marie Shultis [personal information edited out by DS staff]

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Promoting youth interaction within the community. Preventing underage drinking and alcohol abuse. Also preventing the use of illegal substances among youth in the community. Creating an environment where youth can meet youth with like minded ideas to improve the community and make it a safer environment to live in. We will be showing three local bands on the Midvale park stage to help promote the local arts. We will also have a large blow-up screen where we will be showing Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Arc. The movie and concert will be free to the public. The age range we are targeting is 16-25.