Title: Minutes of 01/16/2004 meeting Subject: mcch, substance abuse, minutes Publisher: Description: Contributors: Effective_date: 2004-01-06 10:00:37 Expiration_date: None Type: Document Format: text/plain Language: Rights: SafetyBelt: 1076013230.53 Agenda Attendees -- JGyouth, SMyouth, RAyouth, Antonio Pacheco, Nathan Wallace, Dee Reed, Phil Teakell. Staff -- Jay Nemrow Reports on Homework Assignments Jay reviewed the outstanding homework assignments. Several people were not present, so these were carried forward to the next meeting, as much as possible. New business: Bring Youth up to speed and get input on next steps. Nathan took some time at the first part of the meeting talking to the youth about what we had done previously. Kids say that having something to do in town would help. Find fun somewhere else. Mr. Pacheco suggests football games and kids say that that is where they meet to plan later activities. Discussion of dances and how many guys are embarrassed because they don't know how. (If we taught them, they probably wouldn't come.) Big dances in Albuquerque are well attended by kids. They have a DJ and play their kind of music. Mr. Pacheco and Phil getting together on a teen smoking program. Leverage points from Benson and Tri-ethnic surveys. Parents have an influence on kids. Dee talks about theimportance of role models. she wants to know how many kids have parents that are not good role models and it affects their kids. Yes, Personal Experience about substance use in the family. The father is not the best role model. These things have different effects on different people. Telling youth not to is like an incentive to do it. Nagging is identified as a problem. Asking works better than demanding. Are you able to communicate with mother? (I think a lot of youth can't talk to their parents. Parents and youth might both be scared or worried about talking about these things.) Is there something we can do to get more honest communication? (Kids don't respect their elders.) Dee thinks that it might be a reason to respect adults. Parents don't respect youth. Adults need to help teens in understanding WHY there are these rules (at school, in life). Is there something that can be done about communication? (Youth: There needs to be trust. I get scared that something will happen to me if I say something.) Role models: o Mr. Pacheco (Schoolteacher? It is him specifically. He gets involved. He jokes with teens and sets rules and lives by them himself. Explains homework. He is just there and helps us out. He gives private time to talk.) o My older brother -- he messed up and he changed. Employers loved him. o My sister and Mom (who held people together) o One teacher that invited me over to eat. Told me I could do something and that I was good and could do good. How about (another adult at school). She tries to help and we respect that, but we can't talk to her. What is the difference? Getting in trouble and getting suspended doesn't help anyone. We make mistakes and we want to be able to learn from those mistakes without it ruining our lives. We discussed the procedure of substance abuse in school. How to do it and still have some respect left. Dee asks about having a committee of youth help establish the procedure for handling substance use. Dee thanks the youth for coming and praises their willingness to speak to us. Nathan asks if there is someway that Mr. Pacheco can bring the young adult concerns to the administration. (Yes, but we need a conduit.) The policies need student input. The committee is asked to make a recommendation to have students be a bigger part of the policy making process. Mr. Pacheco and youth suggest holding our meetings at the high school. Are the parents not getting involved the problem? (Yes, people not stepping up to get involved.) Discussion of What is Next. (tabled) Homework o Dee will present the Expo booklet to the city commission. o Mr. Pacheco will see how we can have meetings at the school. o Students will get ideas from other students about problems and solutions. and put together a survey. o Jay will send a letter to the principal about youth participation and our appreciation of it. o Phil will bring Sue Champagne (epidemiologist) to the Jan 28th meeting o Alan can bring a few youth to the next meeting. Evaluation Very good! We want to meet next time at Tucumcari High School!