The Sage Informer

Youth Advisory Committee, also known as YAC, is a small group focused on spreading awareness on the negative impact that drugs and alcohol can have on teenagers. One of their main duties is to distribute and display anti-substance use messages in the form of posters around the school. Additionally, they have monthly meetings where they discuss upcoming events that have to be planned. Some of these events include National Prevention Week and National Drug Take-Back Day.

Vice-President Sadie Walsh expressed that the group is always looking for new members: “I have been trying to expand the group by encouraging my friends and classmates to join and trying to spread the word about it and how fun and informative the meetings are.”

New members are continuously urged to join this fun group. Substance Use Prevention Program Grant (SUPP) and YAC Coordinator, Michele Eliason, shared, “I have great motivation for forming this committee each year. The YAC is designed to have the youth create their own messages and actions when planning prevention activities in their schools and communities. It is also designed to have youth primarily lead themselves.”

Eliason also stated the valuable skills that can be obtained from this group: “The youth in our YAC are a fantastic resource! They know their peers and are best at relating to them and coming up with prevention strategies that will be noticed and heard by them. Additionally, the YAC is a great structure for the youth to exercise leadership skills that they will use throughout their lives.”

Secretary Marissa Aikman stated, “Youth advisory benefits the community by raising awareness for the many problems that we may experience in our lives.”

As spring quickly arrives, members have been working hard to prepare for two of their most important events all year. Eliason disclosed, “In March, the YAC will distribute fliers to advertise the upcoming National Drug Take-Back Day in April. In May, the YAC is required to create two events to address their peers with information regarding the dangers of underage drinking and opioid use/abuse.”

Eliason went on to say, “The YAC also assists with promoting National Drug Take-Back Days each spring and fall. These dates are currently overseen by the Piatt Co. Sheriff’s Office and aim to safely remove unused and expired medications from our community.”

Almost a month later, members will spread messages on the topic of substance use prevention through fun and informing activities. This will take place during National Prevention Week (May 11-17). These activities will include lunchtime games addressing substance use; a kahoot classroom game addressing substance use; “chalk the walk”, an event that shares mental health awareness positive messages on sidewalks and pavements; classroom announcements addressing substance use; and lastly, social media messages addressing substance use.

“I am looking forward to National Prevention Week in May because I am super excited to host the games at lunch and during homeroom. As well as doing “chalk the walk” and helping inform students in this way, I also look forward to the monthly meetings because they are fun and I get to be with my friends!” stated Walsh.

All in all, Youth Advisory Committee is a great group of kids that work hard to spread important messages around the school. Eliason closed with, “The YAC is responsible for distributing the messages for that campaign. Those messages are included on posters, banners, social media, parent newsletters, and classroom announcements. These things all benefit our community because knowledge really does bring power and does save lives.”

Alice Swanson, Staff Writer

swaal25@sages.us