Somerville Youth on a Mission to Reduce Alcohol and Substance Abuse Amongst Youth in the Community
by Erin K. Gray
Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) Director Tammy Freitas da Rocha announced Dec. 14 the launch of a new youth group, Somerville Positive Forces 100 (SPF100).
"We are here to represent the youth who are facing issues of peer pressure and addiction. We are here to help,” said Youth Leader Deepika Bhargo.
The group was created with the mission of supporting social change that would empower youth to make healthier decisions regarding the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, said Freitas.
SPF100 consists of a diverse group of teen members from across the city, including Penina Azard, Deepika Bhargo, Linda Chau, Mitchell Freitas, Manish Lama, Ashley McCarter, Jacky Man, Talia Mosley, Ashlee Snell, Suzanne Styffe, Amy Wu. Staff supervisors include SCAP Youth Advisor Lovelee Heller and CASPAR, Inc. Youth Advisor Brian Rich.
“I am working with SPF100 because I want to see positive changes in our community” said Ashley McCarter, SPF100 Youth Leader.
The youth group will meet every Tuesday and Wednesday from October through June to develop projects aimed at reducing destructive decisions among Somerville youth through educating, advocating, and mentoring, said Freitas.
SPF100 youth leaders will organize and participate in ongoing MADD Youth In Action projects such as Sticker Shock, Shoulder Tap Surveys, Alcohol Purchase Surveys and Compliance Checks in efforts to reduce youth access to alcohol, she said.
“We are trying to raise awareness among youth and adults, to alert them of the issues related to drugs and alcohol that exist in our community,” said SPF100 Youth Leader, Linda Chau.
“It is the vision of SPF100 to create a community where youth are seen as assets and have access to a number of opportunities and experiences that foster human potential and leadership, thus preventing destructive decisions and behaviors,” said SCAP Youth Advisor Lovelee Heller.
SPF100 enacted their first campaign, the Sticker Shock campaign, at four local liquor stores, and will be working on Alcohol Purchase Surveys and Public Service announcements from December to March in efforts to raise awareness of the minimum drinking age of 21, said Freitas. During the campaign, Somerville youth will work with local merchants to put special stickers on beers six-packs and cases, wine cooler and other alcohol multi-packs and on liquor store bags, she said.
Somerville Liquor Stores may sign up to participate in the Sticker Shock Campaign by contacting Lovelee Heller at 617-625-6600 x 4322.
For more information on Somerville Positive Forces 100 or Somerville Cares About Prevention, please contact Tammy Freitas da Rocha at (617) 625-6600, ext. 4319.
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