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Truckee High School youth seek support for positive change

Special to the Sun
Courtesy photoFrom left: THS students Francisco Colmenares, Gustavo Cabrera and Jessica Garcia record anti-drug and alcohol messages for parents at 101.5FM in Truckee.
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TRUCKEE, Calif. – This fall Truckee High School (THS) students are taking a leadership role in preventing teen drug and alcohol abuse. In October THS Friday Night Live (FNL) Club co-presidents Gustavo Cabrera, Jessica Garcia, and vice president Francisco Colmenares attended a two-and-half-day youth leadership training in Butte County. At the conference, the youths learned the scope of teen drug abuse problem and how other communities are successfully preventing it. Upon returning, the teens started sharing what they learned and quickly jumped into action.

They joined fellow student Zoe Peterson volunteering with the Tahoe-Truckee Future Without Drug Dependence (TT-FWDD) coalition as youth sector representatives. This multi-sector volunteer group meets to plan initiatives to reduce substance abuse. As coalition members, the youth work to assist adults in reducing underage drinking, marijuana, and prescription drug abuse.

The teens developed positive messages targeting local adults, recorded at KTKE, which are currently airing on the radio. These 30-second spots urge parents and other adults to support teens by signing a pledge to create a drug and alcohol-free environment that is safe and fun for teens and their friends. These students are also presenting the pledge and collecting signatures at school and community events.



Additionally, Zoe Peterson volunteered at the September Rx Take Back Event held in collaboration with law enforcement, water quality, and public health. Peterson surveyed and educated participants to build awareness of the growing prescription drug abuse problem. This event, held in Tahoe City and Truckee, collected 106 lbs. of unwanted prescription and OTC medications. This event safely disposed of the medications preventing them from contaminating the water supply or being diverted into the wrong hands.

For information visit http://www.ttfwdd.com.


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