Local Teens Talk about Military Life, Negative Influences; Participate in Cross-Country Discussion about the Power of Prevention
From the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County, in partnership with the Maryland National Guard Counterdrug Task Force (MNG CTF), Maryland 4-H Club, and the “Above the Influence” campaign, will host the first-ever National “Above the Influence” (ATI) Day in Aberdeen on October 18.
October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and National ATI Day – a day of youth led activities – is the apex of the month’s observance. Local Aberdeen teens participated in the ATI campaign’s youth activities – “Tag It,” “Be It,” and “Express It” – during the week leading up to ATI Day to kick off a dialogue about preventing drug use and its consequences, and how to rise above the pressures they face in order to make healthy decisions.
Aberdeen youth and community partners now come together for a teen panel discussion to hear directly from local teens about what they do to resist drug use and stay “above” negative influences, as well as how some local teens face the unique challenges that may arise for military families.
Marilyn Quagliotti, Deputy Director of Supply Reduction for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), will deliver keynote remarks. The MDNG CTF will be on site with fun youth activities, including a bounce obstacle course and other exhibits.
Aberdeen is one of four featured communities participating in a cross-country National “Above the Influence” Day event. Aberdeen teens will join via satellite teens from Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and Nevada to celebrate National ATI Day and share their thoughts on influence.
A program of ONDCP, the ATI campaign works with local community organizations to connect directly with teens and deliver messages, activities, and support to help the nation’s youth stay “above the influence” of drugs, alcohol, and risky behaviors. All Aberdeen teens may join in ATI day by taking part in the ATI Facebook Challenge to show what they are doing in their communities to rise above on National ATI Day.
WHO:
Enga Mack, Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County
Teen panelists
Audience of community leaders, parents and youth
WHEN:
Thursday, October 18, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County – Aberdeen Center
100 E. Bel Air Ave.
Aberdeen, MD 21001
**Gymnasium**
WHY:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County, Maryland 4-H, and the Maryland National Guard Counterdrug Task Force are among more than 80 local community partners in more than 45 cities across the country selected to partner with the ATI campaign since Spring 2010. ONDCP has chosen these partners that are dedicated to substance abuse prevention to celebrate the ATI revolution occurring in Aberdeen, MD and to serve as a model for other communities around the nation.
Partner Organizations:
Boys & Girls Club of Harford County / Maryland 4-H / Maryland National Guard Counterdrug Task Force
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County was established in 1989 by a group of concerned citizens in the Aberdeen area. In the organization’s 20+ year history, it has grown to 4 sites throughout Harford County and now serves more than 450 children and teens on a daily basis. Our mission is to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Club is open to all youth ages 6 to 18 and provides positive youth development programs in five core areas: Character and Leadership Development; Health & Life Skills; Education & Career Development; the Arts; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation.
Maryland National Guard Counterdrug Task Force
Since 1989, the Maryland National Guard Counterdrug Program, a federally funded Department of Defense program, has been a vital member of a coalition of law enforcement agencies, community-based organizations, educators and the National Guard. This coalition has been involved in a multi-front struggle against drugs, drug-related violence and crimes. The mission of the program is to provide professional and dedicated military personnel with military unique equipment to support federal, state and local LEAs, as well as community-based organizations in efforts to reduce the demand for drugs.
Maryland 4-H
The Maryland 4-H Youth Development Program provides a supportive setting for all youth to reach their fullest potential. Youth learn beneficial cognitive and life skills through community-focused, research-based experiential educational programs. Achievement of this mission will result in competent, caring, contributing, capable youth.
About ONDCP’s “Above the Influence” Campaign:
The “Above the Influence” campaign has been reaching teens for more than five years through television, print, radio, and online media, and is supported by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. ONDCP’s efforts in local communities focuses on connecting directly with teens and local youth-serving organizations to deliver messages, activities, and support to help the Nation’s youth stay “above the influence” of drugs, alcohol, and risky behaviors.
i was there at the aberdeen boys and girls club representing another boys and girls club and it was awe-some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!we had a moon bounce thingy
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