Reaching youth

Underage use of alcohol.

Vaping.

Prescription drug abuse.

How much of a problem are those issues in Jay County?

How can we solve them?

Those are the questions Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition is working to address.

As part of that process, coalition Drug Free Communities prevention coordinator Tonya Culp led a town hall meeting focused on underage drinking but also touching on a variety of other issues that face Jay County youth.

So, what can both she and we do?

“I don’t know,” said Culp at the event that was co-sponsored by the county’s Purdue Extension office. “It’s not my job to decide what your community needs to be doing. It’s your job.

“That’s why I’m holding these meetings, so I can get feedback from you so I know how to effectively go out and address the issues that you find close to your heart.”

Culp asked a series of questions about underage alcohol use, vaping and prescription drug abuse in an effort to learn how the youth in the community get access to those substances, how prevalent they are and why, in some cases, they are accepted.

On the topic of underage drinking, participants in the town hall — about a dozen —said that while some teens gain access to alcohol through theft or at establishments that don’t properly check IDs, the larger issue is at home.

One example given was that youth find alcohol use and overuse acceptable because it’s what they see in their own homes.

“From my experience, alcohol is used in the home and they kind of mimic their parents,” said one of the women in attendance. (Participants were promised anonymity in hopes that it would provide a more frank discussion about the issues at hand.). “They do what their parents do. So if dad comes home every night and has two or three beers, mom is drinking a glass of wine every night, it just kind of sends the message that it’s acceptable.”

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Participants also mentioned parents who choose to allow their children and their friends to drink at their home based on the theory that they are providing a safe environment. Also discussed was that youth alcohol use is considered culturally acceptable by some in Jay County and neighboring communities.

The town hall also featured extensive discussion about vaping, which was identified as a problem that has grown exponentially at the high school and middle school levels. Participants noted that vaping products are easy to access and have been billed as a “safe” alternative to smoking while also offering flavors and other features that are marketed to youth.

Also identified as a hurdle to overcome was the lack of enough activities and gathering places for younger members of the community that might help lead them to healthier choices.

Those in attendance said offering more options and making teens more aware of those that are already available would be good steps.

In general, they suggested trying to get ahead of the problem rather than chasing it.

“I feel like so much our resources are put toward reactive things instead of preventive things,” said one participant. “We talk about how they’re accessing things … but not as much why.

“That’s real prevention. How do we stop them from feeling like they need to go out and do this.”

Added another: “Somehow we have to get ahead of it. We have to be proactive at some point and not be reactive all the time, because we’re always behind and trying to catch up.”

One of the efforts the drug coalition and Purdue Extension are working together toward is a “youth academy” to place teens in leadership positions in the community. The goal is to link Jay County High School students who are interested in being part of the program with local government boards and other leadership groups in the community.

The idea is built off of a similar initiative in Hamilton County.

“If we can give them a voice … then maybe they can feel a part of that and actually want to build the community up,” said Allison Keen of Purdue Extension.

“I’m really excited about doing that,” said Culp. “I’m really excited to be a part of that.”