The Majority Rules Youth Prevention Training in September

It’s no secret that substance use and abuse can have a devastating impact on youth. Moreover, health risk behaviors established in childhood and adolescence have been shown to be a leading contributor to illness, injury, disease and death rates among adults, according to the 2011 “National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.“ While many high school students continue to engage in unhealthy, high-risk behaviors, the majority of youth are choosing not to indulge in these activities.

With that in mind, several Cuyahoga County community organizations are collaborating to support youth-led prevention by providing an opportunity for teens to receive training on prevention and on replicating prevention strategies in their communities. In addition, a youth rally and peer-led youth summit are planned.

“We are the Majority - Youth Leadership Training” is scheduled for September 21, 2013 at Cleveland State University. This daylong training, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will be facilitated by the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network, which conducts youth leadership training throughout the state. The program will focus on the spirit, science and action of youth-led prevention.

“We are the Majority Rally- Celebrating the Power of Youth Voice” is set for October 28, 2013. The location in downtown Cleveland has yet to be determined. The rally will provide the youth of Northeast Ohio with the opportunity to interact with other teens who have chosen to be the majority and to reinforce their choice to remain drug- and alcohol- free. The key message is that “everyone can do something about it.” An invitation will be extended to state representatives from the districts represented by the attendees at the rally. State leaders will emphasize their support of the positive decision to create drug- and alcohol-free communities. 

“We are the Majority-Youth Summit” will be held on November 9, 2013 at Cleveland State University. At the summit, teens from Cuyahoga County will participate in peer-led workshops on issues of importance to young people. The summit is being facilitated by the OSU Extension Youth Advisory Council (YAC), an organization that provides hands-on leadership opportunities for teens through civic engagement and service learning.

One thing is certain: Peers influence youth's health behaviors—not only on the issue of sexuality but also on the issues of violence and substance use. Peer education draws on the credibility that young people have with their peers, leverages the power of role modeling, and provides flexibility in meeting the diverse needs of today's youth.

This initiative was spearheaded by the Community Awareness and Prevention Association in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Ohio State Extension of Cuyahoga County, the Westshore Enforcement Bureau, East Cleveland Bridges of Hope, Drug Awareness and Prevention, and the Social Advocates for Youth Coalition. These organizations seek to empower the students of Cuyahoga County to take an active role in their schools and communities as representatives of the majority of youth that elect to live drug- and alcohol-free.

For more information, contact Allisyn Leppla at the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, 216-201-2001, ext. 1252.