myrealitycheck'org

1

• myrealitycheck.org
• Youth in the community getting the REAL STORY
  about
• alcohol, tobacco other drugs

2
Reality Check An ATOD Counter-Advertising
Campaign

• BY and FOR Middle School Students
• Through a State Incentive Grant Award from the
  MDCH Office of Drug Control Policy
• Washtenaw County Public Health partnering with
  Livingston County Community Alliance received
  this 3 year award in October of 2003
• Target Communities Milan, Willow Run,
  Ypsilanti, Howell and Pinckney
• 03/04 Youth Focus Groups, Campaign Design,
  Pre-campaign survey of adults
• 04/05 Website designed, Campaign released, Peer
  leaders trained, Pre-campaign survey, Community
  launch
• 05/06 Peer leaders in schools, post campaign
  survey, project eval.

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Overall Goal

• Reduce favorable attitudes among youth towards
  alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD).
• By changing these ATOD Risk Factors
• Unclear community attitudes and beliefs around
  ATOD
• Perceived coolness of use by youth
• Parents tolerance of youths use

4
Local Students

• In Washtenaw and Livingston Counties
• Marijuana use is above the national rate
• Inhalant use is above the national rate
• Most middle school students dont use although
  over 20 believe they will try alcohol sometime
  in the next year

5
Local Teens Said

• Marijuana isnt dangerous
• Drugs can help you escape from feelings of
  depression and loneliness
• Smoking, drinking, taking drugs
  are fun things to do
• Mixed messages are everywhere

6
Youth Perceptions Key Issues for Middle School
Youth

• Pressure to use will greatly increase when they
  enter high school
• They receive mixed
  messages from adults
  about using alcohol
• Theres a lack of support
  from adults to stay drug free
• Theres a lack of resources in the community to
  turn to when in trouble

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Reality Check Program Components

• Website myrealitycheck.org
• Middle School Peer Leaders
• Parent Website Outreach
• The Target Communities

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myrealitycheck.org The Website

• Website myrealitycheck.org
• RC high school student advisors
• RC Stuff Store
• Local Focus

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Youth to Youth

• Middle School Peer Leaders
• Cool news you can use
• In school RC promotion Lunch, classroom
• High School Student Advisory Team
• Peer Profile - Positive prevention Stories
• Answering peer promoter questions

10
Parents

• Parent Website/Reality Email Bytes
• News to use
• Info on talking to teens about ATOD
• Fostering community and adult support
• for ATOD prevention
• RC info in school mailings, newsletters, postings
• Parent meetings

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Takin It To The Streets

• Community Launch with
• Victor DeNoble
• April 12th, 700 p.m.
• Ypsilanti District Library
• Whittaker Rd.
• Ongoing support from parents, youth, business
• Ask, Listen, Learn open up the dialogue

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Reality Check

• Join the Partners
• In supporting the ATOD needs of
• OUR youth
• In Washtenaw County
• Vicki Nighswander or Michele Baukema at 734
  544-6700
• nighswav_at_ewashtenaw.org
• baukemam_at_ewashtenaw.org
• In Livingston County Daydra Fraley at
  517-545-5944
• daydra_at_sbcglobal.net