Cheraw Youth Development

Our Vision

To create a healthy enviroment for youth to become productive citizens.

Our Mission

A coalition of citizens and organizations working together to create positive changes for needed youth health issues through increased awareness and prevention of high risk behavior.

Do you know the issues that our youth are facing today?
The following have been identified as the risk factors that place children at risk for substance abuse.

Risks Among Peers : Susceptibility to negative peer pressure

Risk Factors Among Family :  Family attitudes that are favorable or ambiavlent toward alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.  Litle or no parental involvement with their children.

Risk Factors Among Community : Inadequate youth services and pro - social activities.  Lack of competence in majority culture.

All Stars Program

All Stars is a universal evidence - based program designed for middle school students.  The program consists of thriteen 45 - minute core lessons designed to help our youth develop the skills needed to prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.  All Stars instills a commtment to a positive lifestyle, wholesome standards and positive relations with parents family members, and other adults.

Strategies for Creating a Youth Coalition

• Organize individuals who care about the youth of our community.
• Evaluate the areas of greatest need among our youth, as well as resources and other strengths which you can tap into to address those areas.
• Plan your approach, start with a  vision off where you want to be as a community, then ad strategies and action steps to help you achieve that vision.
• Follow through with the plan using concrete steps that can be monitored and will make a difference.
• Track our progress over time.

Teen Institute

The SC Teen Institute is a program in which teens from all over the state form an alliance to make a difference for fellow students.  Over 250 student come together for a week in June to learn about risky behaviors and prevention skills.  If you would like more information about becoming a part of the Teen Institute, please call: (843) 623 - 5274.

What is Substance Abuse Prevention

The Cheraw Youth Development Coalition defines substance abuse prevention as evidence - based approaches to create or enhance environmental conditions within communities, families, schools, and work place that protect individuals and help them develop personal decision - making skill to reduce the use of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs.

* Protective Factors To Help Our Youth Stay Drug Free

* Tips For Taking To Your Teen About Drugs & Alcohol

• Associate with peers who are involved in school, recreation services, religious or other healthy organized activities.
• Caring parental attitudes
• Positive parental involvement
• Increase awareness of the harmful effects of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs.
• Set high expectations for our youth.

• We want to make it clear we will not tolerate drugs and alcohol.
• We have rules and they do not oermit teens using drugs and alcohol.
• Drugs and alcohol can ruin your future and your chane to graduate, attend college, get a job, and keep your drivers license.
• We are here to support you. How can we help you?
• We won't give up because we love you. We'll be on your case until you stop completely. Of you need professional help, we will support you and make it happen.

Dangers of Tobacco

Click Above For More Info.

  Click Above For More Info.

• Each year almost 440,000 people die in the U.S. from tobacco use.
• Cigarete smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths.
• Smoking causes many types of cancer including lung, larynx, oral cavity, throat, esophagus, liver, pancreas, cervix, kidney, stomach, colon and rectum, and some forms of leukemia.
• Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, bronchitis and emphysema. And it contributes to the severity of pnenumonia.
• Adult male smoker lose an average of 13.5 years of life and female smoker lose 14.5.
• Teenage smoker suffer from shortness of breath.
• Teenage smoker are more likely to develop psychological and emotional problems requiring professional help.
• Smoking at an early age increases the risk of lung cancer.

Risk for Women and girls who take drugs, drink alcohol and smoke

• More than 28,000 (79%) of AIDS cases among women are drug related. AIDS is the 4th leading cause of death among women.
• 1/2 of all women age 15-44 have used drugs at least once in their lifetime.
• Women who abuse drugs are more likely to suffer from sexually transmitted diseases and mental health problems.
• Approximately 2% of female deaths are alcohol related.
• Women have a smaller liver than mean, which increases the risk of liver damage and cirrhosis.
• Approximately 50% of domestic and physical violence cases involve alcohol.
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
• Smoking is the major cause of heart disease among women.
• Smoking causes early menopause and contributes to infertility.

The Facts About Drunk Driving

An estimated 2,125 (36.1%) of persons age 16-20 died in alcohol related crashes in 1999.

For more information on Intoxication visit Rapid Cup

Goals of the Cheraw Youth Development Coalition

To increase public awareness about the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among our youth.

To get parents and the community more involved in the lives of our youth.

To get parents and the community more involved in the lives of our youth.

In order to reach our goals, we must come together and make this a community - wide effort. One person, one family, on agency cannot do this alone.

Together as a community, we can make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Set your goals and make your dreams come true!!

If you would like more information about the Cheraw Youth Development Coalition, please contact the Chesterfield County Coordinating Council at (843)623-5274 of e-mail Margaret Mitchell at ccccmapm@shtc.net.

www.chesterfieldcoordinating.org

www.ccyouthzone.org