SRSLY Attends Anti-Drug Conference in Dallas

STOCKBRIDGE, Mich. (August 5, 2019) – Eight representatives from SRSLY have returned from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) Mid-Year Training Institute in Dallas, Texas with a host of new skills and knowledge to help create change in Stockbridge.

More than 2,000 substance abuse prevention specialists and advocates gathered at the conference, which was held from July 15 through 18 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. Over four days, coalitions learned how to strengthen their capacity to create and maintain safe, healthy, and drug-free communities.

Five SRSLY youth participated in the conference’s Youth Leadership Initiative to learn how to apply CADCA’s prevention model in their own community. They learned how to do a community assessment, create a logic model, and identify strategies to prevent youth substance use.

“Even though it was a lot of work, our trainers made it fun and educational the entire time,” said sophomore Brenden Yannella, a SRSLY student that attended the conference. “They helped us come up with ideas and plans that would have a lasting impact on our communities.”

The SRSLY youth focused on addressing youth vaping in Stockbridge. According to the 2018 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) survey, 35% of Stockbridge high school students had used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days.

The youth said many parents and students have a low perception of risk when it comes to e-cigarettes, and they hope to combat this by providing education about their harmful effects, among other strategies.

About SRSLY

SRSLY’s mission is to empower & equip youth to reach their full potential by remaining substance-free. SRSLY receives support from the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Program, the Coghlan Family Foundation, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, and the Five Healthy Towns Foundation. For more information, visit www.srslystockbridge.org or follow SRSLY Stockbridge on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email