Teens get physical to combat drug abuse

The theme for the day was "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff," and conference participants focused their attention on stress management by participating in Project Adventure, a series of new games and activities that help develop team building and communication skills. Physical activity and teamwork are two skills for managing stress.

The peer leaders attend the Academy of the Holy Names, Bishop Maginn and Christian Brothers Academy, all in Albany; LaSalle Institute in Troy; Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady; and Saratoga Central Catholic.

Peer effort

The teens said that serving as peer leaders has many benefits. During the closing ceremony of the conference, many of them shared their thoughts on participating in ADDEM Prevention Ministry.

"When I make choices now, I think of things longer," said Brian Edwards of Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons. "I don't do what I told the kids not to. That would make me a hypocrite."

Zachary Henna, a senior at LaSalle, said, "It's given me great leadership qualities that I use in sports and in service. It helped jump-start me into other things like CLI [Christian Leadership Institute]. It's helped me grow into the adult I will one day be. As a senior, I envy you who are coming back next year."

Growing up

"Adults can tell you what to do," said Jenneane Butler, a junior at Bishop Maginn, "but kids learn more from other kids who have been through more. I think the kids I worked with learned a lot."

Some of the peer leaders said they enjoyed the opportunity they had to work with elementary school students. Scott Maslanka, a senior at ND-BG, said, "I like helping teach kids to resist peer pressure, and helping them understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy feelings."

Melissa Hotaling, a ninth grader at ND-BG, also enjoyed working with younger children. "It makes me look at children differently and listen to what they have to say," she said. "It gives you a chance to show little kids what's right and wrong -- and it gives them a chance to look up to you."

For some, the experience in ADDEM was the first time they realized that they were a role model. "ADDEM taught me that I'm a role model. I want people to look up to me," said Julia Carpenter from the Academy of the Holy Names.

(The peer ministry program is just one of ADDEM Prevention Ministry's offerings. Other programs include a parenting for prevention course, teacher training, prevention curriculum, staff development, and Rainbows For All God's Children, a program for children experiencing a loss. To contact ADDEM Prevention Ministry, call 453-6771.)

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