Fighting The New Fight

Community Journalism means we take video and pictures submitted by our viewers. Recently the TEA Coalition (Together Enhancing Awareness) sent us video of their Teen Summit at Fairfield Bay. Upon furthur investigation we uncovered a new tactic in the fight against substance abuse among teens.

This was a summit in which teens came up with ways to keep teens away from alcohol, tobacco, drugs and overeating. Peer pressure is the greatest determining factor in why a young person indulges. In this case, Van Buren County was using peer pressure to fight peer pressure. Teens were responsbile for the message, the techniques, the tactics used to help other young people stay drug-free.

Will it work? There's already reason to think it will. Small, steady gains are being made. Data suggests that kids who "experiment" are getting older. There are other major gains as well.

Van Buren County is not alone, but their work with Community Journalism brings their efforts to the forefront. The Teen Summit was made possible by the Ozark Health Foundation and the Department of Health.