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Home | MYAA

Lauryn Brenner

Lauryn is a junior at Calvary Lutheran in Jefferson City, MO.  She has been a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) since 2014, where she has been a member of various committees, including the SADD Day Committee, It Only Takes One Committee, and the Red Ribbon Week Committee.  She was also the 2016 Prevention Day Student Spokesperson.

Lauryn is also active in her school’s Key Club, where she has been a member since 2014, and became a Board Member in 2015-2016.  She volunteers for a variety of causes through her membership in Key Club, including volunteering at the Special Learning Center and American Red Cross.

Drug and alcohol prevention is important to Lauryn for a number of reasons. It is important that everyone is kept safe, and Lauryn does not want any of my friends or family to die directly or indirectly as a result of drugs and alcohol.  Lauryn also wants her peers to do well in school and in their lives after school.  It is very important to Lauryn that her peers are aware of the consequences of drug and alcohol usage.

Media Alert: 2017 Speak Hard Youth Conference

 

Media Alert
Contact: Natalie Newville
573-635-6669 (office)
660-596-9578 (cell-day of event)
nnewville@actmissouri.org

13th Annual Speak Hard Youth Conference Held in Jefferson City

Why: Speak Hard has given youth the opportunity to learn about underage drinking, substance abuse, and prevention since 2005.  Once again Missouri teen voices will unite at the State Capital to attend workshops, march to the Capitol, and visit with legislators.  A highlight of the day will be an Outstanding Youth Prevention Award ceremony, honoring teens from across the state who have proven to be dedicated to prevention.

What: A wide array of experts will present on substance abuse and prevention topics, including several youth presenters.  Kyle Scheele, the 2017 keynote, is a professional youth speaker, amateur beard grower, and full-time adventurous life-liver.  But Kyle isn’t like any speaker you’ve seen before. Rather than lecturing students with a list of what NOT to do, Kyle shows students how their lives will be defined by the things they DO: the actions they take, the people they help, and the lives that they change.

At noon, teens from across Missouri will be honored with the 2017 Outstanding Youth Prevention Award.

When: Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 8:00am-2:30pm

Where: Capitol Plaza Hotel, 415 W McCarty St, Jefferson City, MO

Visit the Speak Hard page for more information on the event.

Commit to Distraction Free Driving

Attention young drivers!  What would you do with $200.00?  Paying it as a fine is probably not on the top of your list, but that could be your reality if you text and drive.  According to MO Department of Transportation, “You text, you’re next.”  Since 50% of teens admit to texting while driving, you truly could be next.

Distracted driving includes texting, eating, talking, changing the radio station, or any other interruption that takes your eyes off the road.  It only takes a split second to change a life forever, and over 80% of crashes involve distractions.  Take a few seconds to educate yourself and peers to avoid common, and possibly fatal, distractions.

Commit to distraction free driving today, and don’t let an emoji wreck your life!

10 tips to avoid distractions while driving: 

  • Fully focus on driving. Do not let anything divert your attention, actively scan the road, use your mirrors, and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Store loose gear, possessions and other distractions that could roll around in the car, so you do not feel tempted to reach for them on the floor or the seat.
  • Make adjustments before you begin your trip. Address vehicle systems like your GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road. Decide on your route and check traffic conditions ahead of time.
  • Finish dressing and personal grooming at home, before you get on the road.
  • Snack smart. If possible, eat meals or snacks before or after your trip, not while driving. On the road,avoid messy foods that can be difficult to manage.
  • Secure children and pets before getting underway. If they need your attention, pull off the road safely to care for them. Reaching into the backseat can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
  • Put aside your electronic distractions. Don’t use cell phones while driving, handheld or hands-free, except in absolute emergencies. Never use text messaging, email functions, video games or the internet with a wireless device, including those built into the vehicle, while driving.
  • If you have passengers, enlist their help so you can focus safely on driving.
  • If another activity demands your attention, instead of trying to attempt it while driving, pull off the road and stop your vehicle in a safe place. To avoid temptation, power down or stow devices before heading out. Drivers should use caution while using voice-activated systems, even at seemingly safe moments when there is a lull in traffic or the car is stopped at an intersection, because potentially dangerous distractions can last longer than most drivers expect.
  • As a general rule, if you cannot devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity,it’s a distraction. Take care of it before or after your trip, not while behind the wheel.

ACT Missouri would like to extend our gratitude to the National Highway Traffic Administration for this information.

Fourth of July Safety

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports hospital emergency visits dealing with drinking are high during the Fourth of July holiday, doubling when it comes to underage drinking.

A 2014 study by SAMHSA showed the number of underage drinking-related visits to the emergency room was 87 percent higher during the Fourth of July weekend than any other day in July (Next Step Community Solutions).

Check out these ideas on how to help prevent underage drinking this holiday from Next Step Community Solutions and NIDA for Teens!

How will you prevent underage drinking in your community this holiday weekend?

Meet the 2016 Youth Ambassadors!

Kelsie ByarsSophomore
Morgan County R-II High School
userKelsie is involved with her school through various activities, including Student Council, DECA, and German Club. She volunteers for several organizations in her community. She wants to education her community about the hazards of drug and alcohol abuse. She is active in the Morgan County CLEAR coalition.
Samantha GunnJunior
Calvary Lutheran High School
Samantha GunnSamantha is the current president of her high school's SADD Chapter. She is also active in many other school organizations, including Key Club, FFA, and Basketball. She volunteers in her community. She believes that by promoting prevention, she can make her community a better place.
Lizzie OxleyJunior
Calvary Lutheran
Lizzie OxleyLizzie is active in several organizations, including Key Club, FTA, and Basketball. She volunteers for many groups in her community. She is passionate about preventing alcohol abuse in her community. She is active in her school's SADD chapter.
Gunner SmithJunior
Kennett High School
Gunner SmithGunner is active in his school and community, participating in organizations such as Band, Pep Club, and Student Council. He volunteers in his community for various organizations. He is passionate about prevention, and advocates for the prohibited use of abused substances. He is active in Smokebusters/Making Our Mark at his high school.
Brock WinslowSenior
Linn High School
Brock WinslowBrock is active in his school and community, and participates in a variety of activities, including FFA, baseball, and Student Council. He volunteers for many organizations in his community. He is committed to staying substance-free, and encourages his classmates to do the same. He is an active member of Linn TREND/SADD.
Camren WorthleySophomore
Morgan County R-I High School
Camren WorthleyCamren is active in his school, participating in activities such as FCCLA, Student Council, and FCA. He also participates in various community service activities. He is passionate about educating others on the dangers of substance abuse, specifically tobacco. He is active in the Morgan County CLEAR Coalition.
Joe ViebrockSophomore
Morgan County R-I High School
Joe ViebrockJoe is very active in various organizations in his school, including FCCLA, FBLA, and Student Council. He volunteers in his community for several projects. He is passionate about educating his community on the dangers of abusing drugs. He is active in the Morgan County CLEAR Coalition.

2016 Youth Ambassadors Attend First Training

 

YA 2016

The Youth Ambassador Program is designed to empower the youth of today to be the substance abuse prevention leaders of tomorrow.  Through interactive exercises, comprehensive trainings, and targeted focus on community needs, the Youth Ambassadors develop materials and support regional centers and school programs to prevent substance abuse.

Ambassadors represent the following schools:

  • Calvary Lutheran High School (Jefferson City)
  • Kennett High School
  • Linn High School
  • Morgan County R-I (Stover)
  • Morgan County R-II (Versailles)

The Youth Ambassadors meet once a month to discuss current problems in their areas and help achieve their mission to end substance abuse in their communities and Missouri.  Regular trainings and activities are scheduled with the discussions to enhance participation and understanding of subject matter.

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The Youth Ambassadors met for their first training on January 7, 2016.  This dedicated group of six completed six exercises:

  • Cause & Effect: Ambassadors matched causes of substance abuse to related effects
  • Elevator Speeches: Ambassadors learned how to best spend their thirty seconds in an elevator to explain to someone what they do as an Ambassador
  • Personal Mission Statements: each Ambassador learned that reviewing goals regularly is important in accomplishing them
  • Bridge to Support: using everyday items, Ambassadors built a ‘bridge to support’ before learning how a combination of treatment techniques is most successful

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  • Cause & Effect, Revisited: Ambassadors determined the best treatment option for varying types of substance abuse
  • Guess Who: Ambassadors reviewed real stories of substance abuse and pinpointed where prevention programs could have intervened

ACT Missouri welcomes new Youth Ambassador Coordinator

Chris DzurickChris Dzurick has been involved with the Missouri Youth Adult Alliance (MYAA) and ACT Missouri since his sophomore year of high school, when he reached out to the organization to help serve a need at his local school. He worked with the organization, attending Speak Hard as a workshop presenter and sharing resources with his school and community. Chris continued his substance abuse prevention work when he joined the staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, working with their SMARTMoves and MethSMART drug prevention curriculum. Chris is currently employed with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as the State Adviser for Missouri Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda. His passion for working with the future leaders is ingrained in his soul, and he hopes to make a difference in the outlook on America’s future.

Chris will lead a team of high school students in their efforts to promote substance abuse prevention within their schools, communities, and Missouri. He will provide leadership training, key data facts, and guidance at several events, including Prevention Day at the Missouri Capitol and the Speak Hard Youth Rally.

Second Annual “It Only Takes One” Campaign Concludes

The second annual “It Only Takes One” campaign concluded in May 2015, with three groups winning top honors. To take part in this campaign, schools had to register in the fall of 2015. Then, students from 42 participating schools were presented a free t-shirt after submitting a completed parent-teen driving contract to their advisors. The t-shirts proved to be an effective tool to get students talking about the dangers of distracted driving, but many of the schools did not stop there. Students and advisors carried this message out into the community – with posters, thumb bands, belt checks, and other materials that sparked conversation between teens and adults about safe driving practices.   Almost 2100 students were impacted by the campaign across Missouri.

For their participation, McCluer North FCCLA received 1st place with a prize of $1,000, Cole County R-V School received 2nd place with a prize of $750, and Douglas County Health Department received 3rd place with a prize of $500. Members of McCluer North FCCLA had a display table at all lunch shifts with a student representative providing information and dispersing posters.  They created several school announcements, conducted seatbelt checks, showed the Highway Patrol’s Distracted Driving DVD to 135 students, and collected 50 parent teen contracts.

The “It Only Takes One” campaign has been made possible by grants received from the Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.

ACT Missouri is the statewide training and resource center for substance abuse prevention.  Through free trainings, brochures, and education, ACT Missouri works with all areas of the state to combat drug and alcohol abuse, especially among Missouri youth.  ACT Missouri also serves at the state representative for national organizations such as SADD and The Partnership at Drugfree.org.

Contact Information:
Natalie Newville
Public Information Officer
ACT Missouri
428 E. Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO  65101
(573) 635-6669
nnewville@actmissouri.org

June’s #SubstanceFreeSaturday

 

 

Wow! It is already June! Can you believe it? With summer here, weekends are not nearly as exciting. You have all week to have fun and hang out with your friends! This weekend is a perfect time to celebrate the end of school with a trip to the lake, pool, or park.

If you are wanting to have a picnic at your destination, you can always pack sandwiches. Buy why not mix it up with some fun recipes that are perfect for outside? What kind of games do you like to play at the park? Horseshoes, washers, Frisbee golf? Or are you more of a sitting by the pool and swimming kind of person? Whatever you do outside, don’t forget the sunscreen!

Tell us how you like to spend your first #SubstanceFreeSaturday of the summer!

May’s #SubstanceFreeSaturday

It’s the last day of Prevention Week! Today’s focus is on Promotion of Mental Health and Wellness. It’s perfect to tie that into #SubstanceFreeSaturday. Mental and physical health go hand in hand.  To maintain overall wellness you  need rest, nourishing foods, exercise, sunshine and to limit substance use.

Monday is also Memorial Day! Holiday’s can be a fun time to celebrate with friends and family.  Don’t forget to remind yourself and your peers of the danger and illegality of underage drinking, and in particular, drinking and driving. Did you know that over 80% of Missouri students refuse to get in a car with someone who is drinking? Make good choices this weekend, and have fun!

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