Preventing+Adolescent+Drug+Use

__Problem Statement:__
The issue that we are trying to address is the issue of adolescent drug use. This is a problem because too many teens are using drugs to get away from hard times in life. Once they use for the first time, they are more likely to use again. This issue is a growing problem. One way we can fix this problem is to educate kids about the risks of using drugs. Also when the rules are broken the consequences should be greater. The community will benefit from fixing this problem because teens will be doing less drugs and not getting into as much trouble.

2010 -- H BILL # ** ======= LC01752
 * __Bill or Policy:__**
 * [[file:Adolecent drug use BILL.doc]]

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** S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D **


 * IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY **


 * JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2010 **

A N A C T Adolescent Drug Use

__Introduced By__ : __Date Introduced__ : __Referred To__ : It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: awareness, there will be wasted money, disease, unwanted pregnancies, increased violence, and more people in prison. The issue of substance abuse in adolescents is not only effecting teens that use, but also kids, parents, families, and communities. __Section 1:__ Let laws be changed so that anyone under 21 who breaks the law will be charged like an adult. Right now, people have to be older than 21 in orders to be charged. __Section 2:__ Let laws issue a “Take Back” prescription drug program in order to get unused pills out of the medicine cabinets, which young people can access and abuse. __Section 3:__ Let school policy have a mandatory minimum of three presentations regarding the harmful effects of substance abuse per year. __Section 4:__ Let every community set up and run centers in order to keep teens busy and off of drugs. __Section 5:__ This bill shall go into effect 90 days after passage. ||
 * Title of Bill: Prevention of Adolescent Substance Abuse**
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 * 12 ** || __Preamble:__ whereas substance abuse in teens is increasing, without stricter laws and more

Press Release: (May 21)


T.A.S.A Teens against Substance Abuse North Kingstown, RI – Teens and adults supporting TASA will be gathering in the North Kingstown High School auditorium for a press release regarding the issues of teen drug use. This will include speakers who are knowledgeable and credible regarding this issue.

“Substance abuse has existed as long as there have been addictive substances. This issue affects kids, teens, parents, families and communities,” says Laure Hosley, the project manger of RIEAP; an organization that deals with the issue of adolescent drug use, “ and provokes other problems that include violence, suicide, pregnancy, etc.”

This press release will be held at the North Kingstown High School which is located at 150 Fairway Drive in North Kingstown. Speakers will be sharing either personal stories or their knowledge on this issue. Later in the evening, the assembly will begin at 6 pm and go no later than 8, we will introduce our bill in hopes of getting it promoted. Hope to see you there!

Media Advisory: (May 21)
Media Advisory June 6, 2010 Contacts: Sam Bucklin- Samantha_bucklin@nksd.net Kaitlyn Godena- kaitlyn_godena@nksd.net Julia Hansen- Julia_hansen@nksd.net [TASA]

TASA- teens against Substance Abuse

[North Kingstown, RI] – more than 100 North Kingstown residents are expected to turn out on June 7th, 2010 to promote the bill enacting TASA according to Julia Hansen

[TASA] has planned a press release in order to promote our bill and to educate the public on the dangers associated with teen substance abuse.

Who: TASA members and local volunteers supporting the cause What: TASA Press Release Where: NKHS Auditorium When: June 7th 2010, 6-8 pm

We are trying to address the problem of teens using substance abuse because it leads to so many different problems and affects the presents and futures of so many teens. TASA is Teens against Substance Abuse. Teens and adults are trying to help teens make good decisions regarding drugs and alcohol.

Direct Action Plan: (May 14)
Planning Direct Action

· Our goal is to reduce the amount of teens using illegal substances. We hope to get public attention and awareness. · With our direct action, we will send out a mass text message to lots of teens and adults that says, “Are you getting high right now? Don’t you have anything better to do?” · We will send it on a Friday night and it will be anonymous to lots of teens and adults. · Hopefully this will bring awareness to teens so they re-think what they should be doing. Also, hopefully adults will want to check up on their kids. .The next day, we hope for lots of people to talk about the strange text

Letter to Elected Official: (May 27)
Jack Reed State Representative State house 82 Smith Street Providence, RI 02903-1105 Dear Representative Reed, We are writing you this letter regarding teen substance abuse. We feel that this is an important issue and needs to be addressed. The problem with teens using drugs and alcohol is that it disables them from reaching their full potential, not only academically and athletically, but just a people. We are hoping that with your help we can drastically reduce the amount of injuries, deaths, wrecked relationships, and thrown away futures. With our bill that we will introduce, we hope to change laws so that anyone under 21 who breaks the law to be charged like an adult. Also, we hope to issue a “Take Back” prescription drug program in order to get unused pills out of the medicine cabinets, which young kids can access. Sincerely, Kaitlyn Godena, Samantha Bucklin, and Julia Hansen

Letter to the Editor:
CHECK OUT OUR LETTER HERE!

Putting the Backboard Together: (June 7)
REMINDER: DIALOGUES FOR DEMOCRACY WILL BE HELD AT 7:00 PM Wednesday June 9th in the High School Cafeteria. You are required to be there.