In The NewsPair of Westerly Teens Attending Madd Training Retreat
Originally printed in Special to The Westerly Sun
Friday, January 31, 2009
Author: Ellyn SantiagoWESTERLY - Teens from across Rhode Island are gathering this weekend to learn how to "make a difference in their communities by focusing on policy level changes that impact underage drinking."
And of the 60 invited teens, two are from Westerly.
For the 13th year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Rhode Island (MADD RI) presents its Youth in Action training retreat, with 14-year-olds Michael Genese and Franklin Patton, both Westerly High School freshmen, attending. Both agree the program provides an opportunity for learning, and "bringing back what we learned to make our community better."
Genese and Patton are co-presidents of the Westerly Substance Abuse Youth Task Force. The teens say they are "all about" working to ensure their peers - and their peers' parents or caregivers - are getting the right messages about problems and risky behaviors associated with underage drinking. Youth in Action brings committed teens together to "join forces and enhance their relationships with law enforcement, the media, and public policy officials to combat underage drinking," according to L.J. Fiorenzano, MADD RI Youth Program coordinator.
One of the presenters at the training retreat being held at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick is Joee Lindbeck from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, there to deliver a message about teen drinking and the sometimes fatal consequences.
"It's imperative that our youth are encouraged to express their opinions and allow their voices to be heard by their peers, specifically when issues as critical as those pertaining to drinking and driving, and underage drinking are involved," said RI Attorney General Patrick Lynch. "I have made it a practice to invite young people to testify on behalf of my legislative agenda, and their performances have been simply inspirational."
The Youth in Action coalition advocates for local and state policy to reduce youth access to alcohol and reduce rates of alcohol use by youth. It also uses an environmental approach to address the problems and dangers associated with underage drinking and impaired driving. And Patton and Genese don't just talk the talk; they walk the walk, according to WSATF coordinator Mary Lou Serra.
"These kids get it. They are really committed to getting out the message that underage drinking is a problem in many of our communities, but also to say that, 'Hey, not everyone's doing it.' YIA is a great opportunity for our kids to get involved in the public policy discussion about preventing underage drinking and, importantly, we believe, helping to get parents on board. We really should listen to our kids," Serra said.
The mission of YIA is to help reduce the social and retail availability of alcohol to minors and support enforcement of underage drinking laws. This particular training is designed for teens that attended MADD's Team Spirit retreat. Scheduled to run until Sunday, the YIA training will include a media relations workshop designed to teach attendees how to coordinate and run their own press conference, a mock legislative session, where youth will learn first-hand how the legislative process in RI works, as well as a discussion of state legislation including 'social host laws' with several members of the Rhode Island General Assembly.
A number of other activities and workshops designed to teach kids about underage drinking prevention strategies are planned. In addition to the Attorney General's office, presenters include South Kingstown Police Lt. Paul Horoho, RI Municipal Police Training Academy Chief Tony Silva, Dan Dibiasio from the state Office of Highway Safety, retired RI State Police Col. Steven Paré and James Bryant from MADD's national program department.
Patton, who's been working on a number of programs related to the Westerly Youth Task Force, said he was happy about being invited, and attending.
"It may give me some good ideas about what we can do in the community to help make it better," the sandy-haired teen said. "I hope to bring back some possible things to do around the community."
Genese said that he "loved (MADD's) Team Spirit and learned a lot from it," and is looking forward to the YIA experience.
"Youth in Action is supposed to be much the same, but more is accomplished," he said. "I hope to bring back information that I can use to help the Town of Westerly in preventing the use of drugs and alcohol."