14
vernonia prevention coalition
may8
2012
The content on this page is provided by the Vernonia Prevention Coalition
Be a Piece of the Puzzle:
By DeAnna Pearl
Since 2009, Vernonia School
District 47J students have
been attending OSSOM (Operation Safe
Students on the Move). This year was
the largest group ever. Over 25 dedicated
Vernonia High and Middle school
teens met monthly to plan and develop
positive
outreach
programming to their
peers. They punched
out in October
with Red Ribbon
Week
activities
highlighting
the
dangers of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Other
Drug (ATOD) abuse.
They
sustained
messaging throughout the year of not
only choosing not to use drugs or alcohol
but to live above its influence.
OSSOM closed its events
planning in April which was Alcohol
Abuse Awareness month. Unfortunately,
while there is a dramatic reduction
in accidents involving youth and
UAD (underage drinking),
high school students are still
reporting it is very easy to obtain
alcohol. What we know now,
is the harm of even occasional
use of alcohol can be damaging
to developing brains, sports
performance and academic
achievement. Occasional use
can lead to increase abuse
while opening avenues to other
physical dependencies.
OSSOM doubled its
meeting and planning stages
to prepare for the week before
prom: April 16-20 th . The group
planned and implemented a
week of events to highlight the
dangers of underage drinking
prior to prom and beyond.
During the week a media blitz
was conducted to highlight not
only the negative dangers of
driving under the influence but
included positive messaging
reminding student they can be
above the influence and make healthy
choices.
In addition to an awareness
campaign, OSSOM planned a mid
week Healthy Teen Fair. Booths
included dangers of UAD, tobacco
abuse awareness, hidden sugar dangers,
suicide outreach, character building,
teen stress and more. This year, two
students developed a booth to highlight
the dangers of Nicotine. “Some of
my friends are starting to use the
electronic cigarettes and I don’t
think they understand that nicotine
is the drug that causes addiction,”
states an OSSOM junior. “I know
some kids have started using them
even if they NEVER smoked
before!”
This amazing group of
youth wrote and performed a series
of vignettes, “UAD: It’s Only the
Beginning”. Since November,
OSSOM had been developing the
vignettes to be reenacted for this
assembly on Friday before prom.
The group utilized the footage
from the 2010 SKID reenactment
Above the Influence--Vernonia’s OSSOM Teens
to set the tone. Six vignettes highlighted
what happens after the accident, what it
really impacts and how far reaching the
consequences to the community. But to
clarify a point, the final vignette, focused
on the power of bystanders whom step in
and change fate.
Unfortunately, every 15 minutes
a teen is injured or killed due to impaired
driving. As a grim
reminder, 12 VHS
students and one
teacher volunteered
to be victims. From
9am to 11:30, every
15 minutes a youth
was chosen. He or
she was taken out of
class and returned
altered and given a
story of their death. They participated
further as witnesses, along with The
Reaper, to the UAD presentation later
on Friday. Selected victims read their
stories and blew out their candles to
represent the loss of life.
While most kids don’t drink,
even occasionally, those of who do
are more likely to drink 5x more per
incident than adults during this prom and
graduation. What we know is that the first
thing you lose when under the influence
is good judgment. Unfortunately,
1500 teens are killed every year due to
underage drinking. This could be 100%
preventable. Fortunately, the Vernonia
area hasn’t experienced any accidents
involving youth and alcohol since 2005.
This could be contributed to efforts to
provide safe prom nights and an all-
night party on graduation night.
O S S O M
have been utilizing
positive messaging
media to help their
fellow
students
identify with personal
empowerment and
self advocacy. The
Above the Influence
(ATI) is a national
campaign created
and
implemented
by the National
Youth
Anti-Drug
Media Campaign, a
program of the Office of National Drug
Control Policy. ATI informs and inspires
teens to reject illicit drugs via TV, print,
Internet, and local radio advertising –
and, most importantly, in partnership
with community organizations.
Teens can be the most influential
group to carry a message they are
passionate about and the OSSOM group
utilized the Above the Influence to help
carry their message and
truth about what MOST kids
don’t do.
• above the influence is
a community of teens, for
teens.
• it’s about being an
individual, not a follower.
• it’s standing up to
negative influences.
• it’s knowing the facts
about drugs and alcohol,
and making smart decisions
about drugs and alcohol.
Every teen’s life is filled
with pressure, some of it
good, some of it bad. Our
goal is to help teens stand
up to negative pressures and
influences. We want teens
to live Above the Influence.
The more aware they are of
the influences around them,
the better prepared they
will be to stand up to them,
including the pressure to use
drugs and alcohol. It’s not about telling
teens how to live their lives, but rather
giving them another perspective and
the latest facts so they can make smart
decisions.
While OSSOM is sponsored by
the Vernonia Prevention Coalition, it
would not possible without the leadership
of Pete Weisel, HS counselor. OSSOM
students volunteer time, sign a conduct
contract, and participate in making their
school a better place. They stand before
their peers and speak out about the
danger of ATOD abuse and the benefits
of living above the influence. Every
year they are stronger and dedicated to
their Vision: VSD 47J is a district where
healthy decision making in fundamental
and healthy lifestyles are the norm.
OSSOM would like to thank to
the volunteers whom helped make the
Healthy Teen Week and UAD Awareness
Day happen: Mark Brown, Dana
Hyde, Dean Smith and Vernonia Fire
Volunteers, Metro West, and Gretchen
Lindauer. Further, they would like
to thank the VSD Administration and
teachers for being supportive while the
OSSOM students took time to prepare
for the week. With the support of
teaching staff, these students were able
to take time outside of the classroom and
make up class time missed.
The Vernonia Prevention
Coalition partners with many groups,
parents and adults in the community that
make a difference. If you would like
to Be a Part of the Puzzle in making a
healthier and safer community contact
DeAnna Pearl at DeAnna@vernonia-or.
gov or (503) 369-7370.
ATOD Free
Grad Night
Seeking donations
for Graduating Class
of 2012
Contact Betsy Miller
503-429-6049
National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Are you feeling desperate, alone or
hopeless? Call the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline a free, 24-hour
hotline available to anyone in suicidal
crisis or emotional distress. Your call
will be routed to the nearest crisis
center to you.
Veterans Suicide
Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press 1
