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EVERGREEN ACTIVITIES

HELP OUR TEENS

MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES

E very year the holidays roll in like a freight train – parties,family gatherings,
holiday hustle and bustle. But after the holiday reverie, family-friendly
activities are truly evergreen because they can protect your kids from
drugs year round.
Think family, friends and time together. Eating dinner together as a family is one

of the best and simplest ways to keep youth from engaging in risky behaviors, like

drugs. Stay involved: talk, they do hear you. Youth listen to what parents say; dinner

time or driving back and forth to activities (remember, they’re a captive audience!) MEMBERS OF LELY HIGH SCHOOL’S CORE SOCIETY POSE
are great times to launch the conversation. Finally, get your kids involved in sports, WITH DRUG FREE COLLIER’S COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR, IKE
extracurricular activities, youth groups. ALAMA-FRANCIS AND DAVID JONES, PRESIDENT OF ATHLETES

Involved youth are also less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Recent surveys AGAINST BULLIES.

Photo Credit: ALBERTO DELEON

show Collier County youth have more opportunities than ever to be involved in Drug Free Collier also has tools to help your

school-based activities. In fact, Collier County youth are more likely to be involved family. Information and resources top the list:

in school sports, band and clubs than their peers statewide, according to the 2016 • Hidden in Plain Sight: a traveling exhibit

Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey. set up as a teen’s room to educate parents and

Joining the CORE Society clubs at middle and high schools, sponsored by Drug adults about potential hidden dangers – is that

Free Collier, are just one place for youth to engage in safe activities.The youth-based stuffed animal hiding drugs?

groups focus on fun, safe activities and events throughout the school year. In the fall, • CORE Clubs: in partnership with the

CORE youth participated in a host of fall festivals and events. In October, capping Collier County Public Schools we’re working

off Red Ribbon Week – a week of drug free events – youth were treated to a family- hard to get one in every middle and high school.

friendly gathering at Germain Arena to watch the Florida Everblades. Don’t have one? Give us a call at 239.302.6717.

Ikaika “Ike” Alama-Francis, Drug Free Collier’s Community Ambassador, is • Speakers, such as Ike, whose messages

sharing his great message about the value of being involved and making good choices. about staying safe and making good choices

Ike has been visiting schools and youth-serving agencies. The retired NFL player is engage his audences.

also working closely with CORE youth to increase membership. His appearances • notMYkid: Drug Test kits to check if

have become a popular attraction, welcomed by youth and adults. youth are using drugs or even as a prevention

Getting involved and staying involved are some of the most important building tool making it easier for them to tell their peers,

blocks for keeping youth safe, healthy and drug free. In the science of prevention “Sorry, I can’t – my parents drug-test me.”

they’re called protective factors – they literally protect kids from risk factors • Your Life Matters cards: pocket-sized cards

surrounding them: availability and access to drugs and a culture that seems to say listing treatment services and family support

“everyone is doing it.” groups.

In fact, 80.1 percent of Collier County youth say they don’t drink. Similarly, the We’ve been around since 2005 uniting the

majority of youth say they are tobacco-free and don’t use marijuana. community to protect children from substance

So think evergreen. The more you make a habit of dinners together, talking with abuse. That’s a job that is year-round. You might

your kids early and often and spending time together as a family, the more skills you say it’s evergreen. For more information about

give kids to stay drug free. Drug Free Collier, contact us at 239.302.6717.

42 Life in Naples | December 2016