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This section is about exciting things that people are doing and what you, as a single individual, or as a part of any group or community, can do to make a difference. We know protective factors work, but how do we implement them? This is perhaps the most important section of the M-Files because it addresses how you can get involved. The Champions of Washington State, are examples of individuals that are committed to helping others. Often through their own creative ideas, they have made their tiny corner of the world a better place to live. Volunteering is also a part of this section. Often people say, I want to give something back, I want to become involved, I just don't know where to start. I would like to contribute, but I need an address, a phone number. This is a starting point. This section will grow, so check back later for more opportunities. The federal government recently "took action" in July of 1998 when it launched the National Media Campaign. This campaign will focus on paid advertising in prime time spots and talk to youth about the dangers of drug use and talk to parents about the need to talk to their children about drug use. As we read about youth suicide, crime, and violence, it is natural to wonder, what goes so terribly wrong in a youth's life that acts of violence against themselves and others become acceptable responses? How do we prevent future outbreaks of violence? Brain Development is about wonderful new research that every new parent should have. How do children get the best start possible in life? Read this section!
"Solutions do not come from looking at what is missing; solutions will come by building on strengths." (Resiliency Requires Changing Hearts and Minds, Bonnie Benard, Western Center News) "Drug legalizers and drug fighters both know that the most important instrument America has in persuading children not to use narcotics has been strong societal and parental disapproval. (While we slept, A.M. Rosenthal,New York Times, November 15, 1996 ) "So the good news seems to be that with the help of a good family and a religion, kids can resist the siren song of the pushers. The bad news is that most of our children don’t live in that world anymore." (Pop Culture and Drugs, Wall Street Journal, July 26, 1995) "Individuals who have succeeded in spite of adverse environmental conditions in their families, schools, and/or communities often have done so because of the presence of environmental support in the form of one family member, one teacher, one school, or one community person who encouraged their success and welcomed their participation." (Prevention Should Emphasize Protective Factors, Bonnie Benard, Western Center News, September 1991) "Identifying the variety and richness of skills, talents, knowledge, and experience of people in low-income neighborhoods provides a base upon which to build new approaches and enterprises. (Quote from John McKnight in Resiliency Requires Changing Hearts and Minds, Bonnie Benard, Western Center News) "We must create environments for children from infancy on that are characterized by respect for difference and by high expectations of success for all children." (Schools should celebrate multi-cultural ‘salad,’ Bonnie Benard, Turning the corner from risk to resiliency, Western Center News, June, 1991) "In fact, 65 percent of the more than 3,000 youth polled said their parents have the greatest influence on their decision not to use drugs." (Youth drug use dropping, Parents influence on teens is strong, survey shows, The Miami Herald, March 5, 1998) |
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