YAB Teens are talking about parties.

Homecoming season, halloween and holiday parties are in full swing.  What really goes on, how teens handle the pressure, and how schools, the community and parents can help.

Q.  What is the teen party scene like right now?  Are there a lot of parties?  Are they big or smaller gatherings?  What’s the general trend?

Teens Answer:

• Usually parties are held in the basement at someone’s house.  Sometimes parents are home, sometimes not.  Normally there are around 20 people to a party.
• The party scene right now seems like smaller situations at one person’s house – usually in the basement.  Halloween, homecoming and holiday parties are all going to be happening.
• Parties at my school tend to run once or twice p month.  Usually the person will step up and use their house to throw a “banger”.  Anywhere from 50-hundreds of kids could show up. 
• There are a fair amount of parties.  They are usually smaller, no more than 30 people.
• There are a few big parties every once in a while, but when people party I think it tends to be smaller groups.

Q. what typically happens at parties?  Is there more drinking?  Is there other drug use?

Teens Answer:

• There is usually alcohol present.  Smoking marijuana or cigarettes happens but it’s kept to a minimum.
• Usually there is more drinking at parties.  However it is not uncommon to find marijuana or cigarettes as well.
• At most parties there is usually drinking.  There is also some smoking -- weed, cigarettes and usually hookah.
• Usually alcohol and marijuana are present.  There is also music and dancing as well.
• Drinking or smoking at parties usually depends on your friend group.  Most groups don’t.
• I’ve never heard of drug us at bigger parties.  I think that tends to happen in smaller groups.  A lot of people drink at parties.
• There is generally more drinking.  And then in some smaller situations, more hookah and some smoking.

Q. Do you feel pressured if there is drinking and drug use going on?  How does it make you feel in the moment?  And please tell us how you cope with it?

Teens Answer:

• There is not much pressure.  You can usually just say that you have to drive and most people will understand.  Sometimes in the moment it can look fun but in the end, I know that there are consequences.
• If I find there is drinking or drugs going on at a party I usually decide to leave.  Drinking can be pressuring and you have to be able to be strong and make the right decision.
• I don’t feel pressured because you can always say you are the designated driver.  In the moment it usually feels harder to make the right decision because it looks fun and you don’t want to be “left out”.   But, you also know the consequences.
• Pressure is somewhat common and a person just has to stand up and say they do not want to -- so a peer would back-off.
• Peer pressure doesn’t apply to me, if I know I shouldn’t be doing something.
• I don’t really feel pressured, but I do worry for other kids’ (who are drinking or doing drugs) future.
• I don’t feel pressured to drink.  Personally I don’t like to see people drinking.  It’s not necessary because you can still have fun without drinking.  I would leave the party if there was drinking.
• I don’t feel pressured, but I’m sure other people do that are not as set on not drinking. 

Q. Do you think parents are aware of what’s happening when there are parties with drinking and drug use?

Teens Answer:

• Some parents may be aware.  It depends on the situation and how close the student is to their parents.
• Most parents don’t know about drinking or drugs happening at parties.  But, a surprising amount do know, and some even condone it.
• Some parents know what is happening and are okay with it.  Other seem to be oblivious.  Some are indifferent.
• Parents talk amongst themselves and are aware there is smoking and drinking, but they don’t seem to know what to do or how to stop it.
• I don’t think most parents are aware.
• I think parents are definitely aware, but some just don’t care.
• I think some parents know about what goes on at parties but I also think kids are getting more clever with finding out ways to work around it.

Q. What do you think could be done by the schools, parents or the community about parties?

Teens Answer:

• Parents should be more open to discussing the facts/consequences of drinking and smoking with their students.  They need to let their kids know that in any emergency situation, it is OK to call them.
• They need to be educating the teens on the consequences of making bad choices.  Some kids are under the impression that they’re invincible, which just isn’t true.
• They can let teens know that there are other options instead of parties and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and that there are still many teens who don’t make those choices.
• I don’t think schools could do much but parents could be more strict and aware of what goes on in order to stop it.
• Students need to know what can possibly happen and more importantly, they need to care.  So, show them what might happen if they drink or do drugs.
• Schools can inform kids by continuing to stress the negative effects.
• Schools could set stricter rules related to parties and enforce them more.

Q. What is your influence to be drug-free?

Teens Answer:

• My future!
• My family, my friends and my future.
• I’ve seen how it has impacted others’ lives in negative ways.  I know the physical consequences and legal consequences as well, and it just isn’t worth it.  My future, college, sports, family and church community, are all my influences to be drug-free.
• I stay drug-free in order to not get in trouble with my parents and to stay healthy.
• I have a cousin that sadly got addicted to drugs as a teenager and is now struggling to hold a job.  I want to be able to help people.
• My goals.  I always keep my goals in mind and I don’t want anything related to drugs or alcohol to negatively affect my future.
• I really do not like the effects on the body.  You have no self-control and cannot control what is going on.
• My future – because I do not want one decision to affect my career and college experience.  Poor decisions may follow you for the rest of your life.

                                                         #what'syourinfluence#livedrugfree

YAB teens are talking about stress and anxiety.

Teens are heading off to school and that can carry some stress and anxiety.  Teens today are dealing more pressure than ever before and many hold onto the stress and internalize the pressures.  YAB teens want to encourage their peers to open up, find support and deal with their stress.  Everyone is feeling it and you are not alone. 

Q.  How many teens do you think deal with a high level of stress or anxiety?

Teens Answer:

• At least half!
• I think that most to ALL teenagers deal with high stress and anxiety
• All teens deal with stress and anxiety at some point.
• I think every single teen deals with a high level of stress and anxiety during high school.

Q.  How do you think most teens cope with their stress?

Teens Answer:

• Some in healthy ways like exercise or music, but many may try to handle it through drinking or smoking in order to “forget” their stressors.
• Some talk about it, but not in healthy ways.  Put things off and procrastinate.  Some will turn to dangerous things thinking it will “relieve” their stress.
• I think a lot of teens try to cope with their stress in an unhealthy way.  It’s a hard thing to deal with and leads to bad decisions like drinking, smoking and breaking down.
• Some teens cope with stress by doing activities the enjoy, but for the most part, teens just aren’t sure how to cope.
• I think most teens hold a lot of their feelings and emotions in until can’t anymore and eventually have an emotional breakdown.  I think some teens also take it out on other people without realizing it.
• There are good healthy ways to deal with stress such as exercise.  And, there are unhealthy ways to cope and most often teens who choose to deal with their stress in an unhealthy manner will resort to drugs and alcohol.

Q.  How do you deal with stress?  Is there someone you can talk to?

Teens Answer:

• To cope with stress, I read, do yoga and play basketball.  I also am able to talk to my Mom and my friends.
• I try to slow down and think of everything I need to do or how I can relieve the stress.  I run and play sports.  I can also talk to my parents and friends.
• I cope with stress with running or playing music.  Running vies me time to blow off steam and music enables me to relax.  I have a few close friends I talk to and my parents and sister as well.
• I take a break from whatever I am doing and watch an episode of TV to take my mind off of things.  I can talk to my friends and family when I am stressed about something.
• I talk to my friends and family.  It’s nice to hear that sometimes they have or are going through the same things!
• I listen to music.  I try to finish or deal with whatever is stressing me out.  I can talk to my family a little but they just don’t understand, and my friends are going through stresses too and I don’t want to stress them out more.
• I try to exercise because I’ve heard that it is supposed to help.  Also, I like to write things down, such as why I am stressed ,and try to collect my thoughts and feelings in order to cope with it.  I prefer to reassure myself when I am stressed because I stress out myself…. Others really don’t stress me out.
• When I am stressed, I talk to my parents because they can always calm me down and help me deal with whatever is stressing me out.  If I am feeling really stressed and overwhelmed, sometimes I have a breakdown.  I find that once in a while it helps to just cry and let it all out.

Q.  What do you think can happen if a teen doesn’t have an outlet, someone to talk to or a way to cope with their stress?

Teens Answer:

• They might bottle it up inside and the stress will build and get to them.  They may turn to drugs or alcohol.
• If a teen doesn’t have an outlet, they will probably start looking for one and may turn to drugs or alcohol.  They could also become depressed.
• I think THIS is when teens make unhealthy choices and resort to dangerous behaviors, and use drugs or alcohol.
• I think it can cause anger or depression if you don’t have an outlet.  Their grades and friendships might begin to fall apart, creating even more stress and anxiety.

Q.  What would you tell a friend or someone you know who is having a hard time coping with their stress?

 Answer:

• I would tell them to talk with someone and try to help them brainstorm different things they could do to relieve their stress.
• I would empathize with them and let them know that there is nothing wrong with being stressed.  I would tell them that I am available to help as an outlet and try to offer some healthy ways to cope with their stress.
• I would recommend talking to someone.  Holding onto everything inside does not help at all and it feels really good to talk to someone about how you are feeling.
• I would encourage them to find something they enjoy doing, to take a break and to talk with someone who can help them deal with it.
• I would tell them to talk to someone about it, write down what is making them stressed and see if it can be solved.  I would encourage them to seek professional help if it’s very bad.

Q.  How do you think Parents can help their teen deal with stress or anxiety?

 Answer:

• Give them some space…. and let their children know that they are there for them.  If they sense there is some stress, maybe take them out for a distraction with something fun, like a movie.
• They can help by discussing the problem their teen may be facing. They can help by not adding to their stress, since Parents can be a major factor towards a teens’ stress.
• Parents should try to understand their situation and what they go through every day and how they are feeling.
• Parents should not always pressure their teens to get stuff done so much and realize that they are still kids and need a break sometimes.
• Parents can just be there for their kids.  They shouldn’t pressure their kids to talk about anything, but they should be there if their kids’ need to and when they want to talk.
• They need to reduce the pressure and stress that they put on their teens.  We are very aware of the stressors in our lives.  Parents should just act as a source of comfort and outlet for their teens.
• I think Parents can take the time to listen to their teen and try to be more understanding during stressful times.

#reachout#what’syourinfluence?#Ichoosetobeme#livedrugfree

YAB Teens Are Talking About Summer Plans, the Party Scene and How Parents Can Help Teens....

YAB Teens had a busy school year and are looking forward to the summer break.  Here, they are talking about taking a break, plans and the party scene.

Q.  What are your summer plans?  And, what are you looking forward to over the summer break?

Teens Answer:

• I’ll be busy working and preparing for college.  And, I’m looking forward to not having school!
• I plan on hanging out with my friends and going on college tours.  I’m looking forward to having time to relax.
• I’m doing a leadership program in Chicago, working, sleeping in… and college applications.  I’m looking forward to literally just having a break.  School is tiring.  Also, I can’t wait for our summer events;  Battle of the Bands, Movie Nights and Day on the Town!

Q.  In your opinion, what is the summer social/party scene really like for teens?  Can you go places where there isn’t the influence of alcohol or drugs?

Teens Answer:

• It is possible to avoid.  There are many places without those influences.
• I’m not super involved in the summer party scene, so it’s very possible.  You can go to the movies, pools, or just hang out with friends who don’t drink or do drugs.
• Many people do bonfires, go up north, or go boating.  It is possible to have sober hang outs and common for that matter.  But people do still drink more over the summer and teens need to be careful of finding themselves in those situations. It can take just the use of one time to get into serious trouble OR to become addicted to alcohol or drugs.

Q.  What should teens do if they find themselves in a situation where others are drinking or doing drugs?

Teens Answer:

• They should think about the many consequences of drug use and decide whether or not they are willing to accept those consequences.  It should be a personal decision.
• If teens find themselves in a situation where others are drinking or doing drugs, they should leave so they don’t have to involved.
• Just leave or get picked up.  That is what I do every time.  DON’T be embarrassed!

Q.  How do you think Parents can help their teen if something like this comes up?

Teens Answer:

• Parents can help by providing their teens with different opportunities and by encouraging them to pursue a project or job over the summer.
• Parents can help their teens by giving them a ride home or teaching them how to say “No” to others in a situation.
• Parents should show unconditional support and always let your child know you will be calm and helpful in a bad situation. 

 Final thoughts from a YAB graduating senior:  

Q.  What is your main take away from your high school experience?  And, what will you take with you as a motto or value as your transition to college?

 Answer:

• My main takeaway from high school is that the years pass very quickly and one should appreciate and take advantage of all the learning opportunities in their youth.  My goal for college is to try new things and to challenge myself.

 
                             #summer#timetotakeabreak#what'syourinfluence#livedrugfree