Pubdate: Wed, 31 Oct 2012
Source: Herald-Citizen (TN)
Copyright: 2012 Herald-Citizen, a division of Cleveland Newspapers, Inc
Contact:  http://www.herald-citizen.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1501
Author: Amy Davis

CHS STUDENT RALLIES FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

PUTNAM COUNTY -- Drug and alcohol prevention isn't just the
responsibility of adults.

Just ask Maggie Amoss.

The 15-year-old Cookeville High School sophomore has done her share of
rallying for the cause, having been involved in any way she could
through the years to get the word out.

"I've always been interested in the anti-drug and alcohol effort from
when I started in the DARE program (when I lived) in Murfreesboro,"
she said. "From that time, I've wanted to help make my community a
better place."

Amoss is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, having
recently been appointed to the state SADD youth advisory council; has
twice attended Tennessee Teen Institute, a camp that focuses on
leadership skills and underage alcohol and drug prevention strategies;
participated in the AT&T and Governor's Highway Safety Office Sept. 18
state press conference on texting and driving; is involved with the
CHS Health Occupations Students of America club; and takes part in
Bully Free Tennessee, a local anti-bullying effort, as well as the
Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

And if that's not enough to keep her busy, she's also pursuing her
Girl Scout Gold Project, plays saxophone in the CHS band and is
involved in her church's Episcopal Youth Community.

With so much community service under her belt, it seems only fitting
that she also be part of Power of Putnam's youth coalition. And
because of that involvement, she was chosen as POP's prevention
partner of the month for October.

"I was surprised and a bit overwhelmed because usually it's the adults
who are chosen," Amoss said. "You don't really see kids or teens
getting recognized for the work they do in the community."

POP assistant director Justin Sweatman-Weaver is happy with this
month's pick, particularly with Amoss being a member of the youth
coalition, which he oversees.

"Maggie has been almost a one-person youth coalition for two years
now," he said.

"From the time I started working with Power of Putnam, she was the
first student I had to get actively involved."

It all started during spring break 2010, when POP offered drug-free
"Clean Break" activities for students.

At the time, Amoss had a concussion from playing some rowdy church
league basketball and was bored from sitting around the house.

What she really wanted to do was check out the Clean Break
activities.

"I practically begged my mom to get me out of the house, and she
finally agreed," Amoss said.

That's when she met Sweatman-Weaver and learned about POP and its
mission.

"From there we started some projects and have had some interesting
experiences, such as working with Bully Free Tennessee, TTI and
talking to legislators in Nashville about safe driving," she said.

Amoss noted the importance of having a coalition like
POP.

"I've noticed at school that a lot of kids aren't aware of what drugs
can do to you," she said. "They just think it'll never happen to them.

"But it can happen. That doesn't mean it will happen, but if you're
abusing the substances, you're taking that chance. You're risking
getting sick or getting caught."

She said one the biggest problems she's seen at school is the sale of
tobacco products.

"It amazes me that teachers catch it sometimes, but other times they
don't see it," she said. "They catch the basic cases of somebody
sneaking outside to smoke or somebody smoking in the bathrooms, but
that's it. They don't see it being sold. They don't see it passing
from kid to kid."

Sweatman-Weaver said, "To hear a first-hand account from
somebody who sees it every day tells me Power of Putnam is doing what
we need to be doing, and we need to keep going and do it better,
continue to build up our community partners and implement
environmental strategies as best we can."

The mission of the POP youth coalition is to educate students, prevent
destructive decisions such as alcohol and drug use and encourage
students to participate in activist projects about safe teen driving,
bullying, mental health and suicide, dating violence, child abuse and
human rights.

"We are currently supporting our partners at Genesis House in a food
drive and planning to assist the Putnam County middle schools in
developing strategic action plans to address bullying,"
Sweatman-Weaver said.

Anyone interested in joining the POP youth coalition may  or call 520-7531.
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MAP posted-by: Matt