{"id":17399,"date":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cadca1stg.wpengine.com\/resource\/coalitions-in-action-youth2youth-4-change-paying-it-forward-to-the-next-generation\/"},"modified":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","slug":"coalitions-in-action-youth2youth-4-change-paying-it-forward-to-the-next-generation","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.cadca.org\/pt\/resource\/coalitions-in-action-youth2youth-4-change-paying-it-forward-to-the-next-generation\/","title":{"rendered":"Coalitions in Action: Youth2Youth 4 Change \u2013 Paying it Forward to the Next Generation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Each week, CADCA has the opportunity to spotlight Coalitions in Action. Youth2Youth 4 Change, located in Beloit, Wisconsin, is another example of excellent work that is \u2013 as their tagline connotes \u2013 \u201cmaking a difference for generations to come.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe communities that we serve \u2013 34,000 people in Beloit and 161,448 in Rock County \u2013 present unique challenges,\u201d says the Coalition\u2019s Director, Debbie Fischer. \u201cFor example, while Beloit is home to some of the largest national headquarters for many large businesses, we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. Additionally, Beloit is in the direct path of high drug and gang activity. In March 2010, the Office of National Drug Control Policy added Rock County to the Milwaukee High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area resulting from concerns about an increase in drug related arrests, heroin overdose deaths and violent crime.\u201d<\/p>\n

The community that Youth2Youth 4 Change serves is urban e<\/em> rural, and Beloit is one of Wisconsin\u2019s four most diverse communities. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur coalition recently celebrated 25 years of service, and among our successes, we are very proud of our work with youth,\u201d says Fischer. \u201cWe have had over 5,000 young people act as youth advocates since 1995 when the youth program was developed, and every year over 200 teens serve in this capacity, educating 6,000 elementary through high school students about the dangers of drug misuse and abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

These youth advocates utilize evidence-based, age-appropriate and interactive approaches which resonate with students. While the coalition is involved in many issues including tobacco control, alcohol and prescription drugs, one of its major concerns is youth marijuana use. The youth advocates have embraced this challenge and have implemented a training program that is making an impact.<\/p>\n

For over a year, student advocates have been training middle and high school students about marijuana, not just about the dangers associated with its use, but about the industry<\/em> of marijuana production and how it compares to the big business of tobacco.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough the coalition\u2019s training efforts, students know that tobacco use can<\/em> cause cancer and how the industry hid that fact from the public. They know that some of the same toxins and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke are also present in marijuana smoke,\u201d reiterates Fischer.<\/p>\n

As a result of their efforts, from 2014-2016, there has been an 8 percent decrease in marijuana use among Beloit\u2019s high school students. Data also points to the fact that there has been an increase<\/em> in marijuana use among middle schoolers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile this information is disheartening, we know that data drives our efforts, not the other way around,\u201d says Fischer. \u201cWe will be launching our marijuana education program to our elementary school students so by the time these students reach middle school, they will be well-prepared for the decisions they may face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Such activities could be not achieved without community support and a strong foundation. Indeed, Youth2Youth 4 Change is proud of the fact that all sectors are represented and engaged; there are strong youth\/adult partnerships; and coalition goals and activities are achievable, action-oriented and evaluated. As a result of these strategies, there has been:<\/p>\n