Doing Our Part

Youth Organizations

Youth groups in a community are formed around a variety of specific interests. Athletic groups, scout groups, music groups, and other clubs are led by individuals willing to dedicate a portion of their time, energy and resources to young people. Many of these leaders are parents of a youth and have a sincere interest in all of the issues facing young people today. Whatever the specific interest around which the youth have formed, it is evident that substance abuse is a threat to their continued participation and demands the attention of a leader.
Youth organization leaders are not all substance abuse prevention specialists. In fact, they are seldom any more informed about alcohol and other drug abuse than other parents or adults in the community. And yet, the position they are filling as a leader of youth demands a greater awareness and responsibility to the issue than the average adult. Their regular contact with the young people they lead, places them in strategic position for involvement in alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and intervention. They youth leader is a part of the team of significant adults in the life of a child on whom he depends for guidance and information about the world around him. The role modeled before him is his handbook for responding to the life issues and experiences he will encounter.

DEFINING RESPONSIBILITY

It is normally not the primary responsibility of youth organizational leaders to educate those they lead about alcohol and other drugs of abuse. In some programs there may be special prevention emphases, but, for the majority of youth leaders, drug education is not a priority. Nor does it have to be. Adult leaders are involved with youth to address areas such as playing a piano or running a football. That is what the youth are expecting and need to receive from the leader. To divert from these priorities, and not accomplish the desired end creates a loss of respect and interest in the youth. So what specifically is the responsibility of a youth leader in the community?

THE RELATING OF THE SKILLS AND PRINCIPLES BEING TAUGHT TO THE ISSUE OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE IS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE YOUTH LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY

Youth need to know that those adults which lead them have an accurate knowledge of the world in which they live. An informed adult is the greatest protection a youth can have in their world. Consistent factual and reasonable statements about the reality of their life situation and ways to face it are far more effective than inconsistent, in accurate and emotional tirades about the problem. A "By the way..." or "You know, this is like..." statement may be just the encouragement a youth needs to continue to choose the right peer group or display a responsible attitude.

A true leader of young people is aware that, whatever it is they are teaching, it is only a tool to help a child discover their uniqueness, value, gifts, and balance in life. If this is not accomplished, it really doesn't matter how well they can do whatever else was taught.

Enough is Enough

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