Is your coalition successfully engaging and supporting queer youth in your drug prevention efforts? Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQIA+) teens are two times as likely to be bullied, excluded, or even assaulted at school and within their community. Unfortunately, they’re also nearly 40 percent less likely to have an adult in their circle to whom they can turn. Thus, it’s no surprise that they are twice as likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol.
Objectives:
- Articulate the disparities commonly present within the queer community and how they lead to youth drug and substance use
- Identify how your coalition can fill gaps and be a safe space for queer youth
- Update strategies to engage the community, schools, and youth to assist the coalition in supporting the LGBTQIA+ youth
- Understand how other coalitions have leveraged resources to support their queer youth
