Culture of resistance
Dr. Benjamin Jones, NCADD president and CEO, recognizes that passion as well, crediting much of the students’ excitement about the program to Wade himself. “I think they have great respect for him because they know how committed he is to them and the lengths he has gone to to support them,” Dr. Jones says. “He works hard to give them opportunities that may not otherwise be there, and I think the youth really appreciate that.” While seeing kids succeeding and leading positive lives gives the Prevention Man a sense of personal gratitude, he also knows the work is never finished. But he says he takes his job very seriously, seeing prevention as the first line of defense in keeping kids safe from the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other high- risk behaviors. The work can get tiring at times, but PM says he is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people. “This work is very important,” Wade says. “At the end of the day, we’re trying to save lives.”
Wade has been drug-free his entire life, but he remembers well all the people who pressured him to use or engage in other illicit behaviors when he was a teenager. He says with so many negative influences coming at teens on a daily basis, they need to be equipped to handle the situation in a positive way. “We are instilling a culture of resistance to illegal drugs,” Wade says. “We decided to push back. We try to identify every possible negativity that can come to a teen and have a ‘pushback’ prepared for it.” NCADD has partnered with the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Parent Network (among other organizations) and has been able to take students to games and college tours, an opportunity many kids wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. They also offer summer internships to Wayne County teens who maintain moderate GPAs, and Wade says those incentives help keep kids motivated to stay on the right path. “The young people really enjoy the program, they go all out,” Wade says. “They understand the importance of coming to the program and building up their self- esteem.”
Parents and teens looking to make a difference nationwide can call 313- 649-PUSH to get more information about S.T.E.P.S.-NCADD community service opportunities. “At the end of the day, we’re trying to save lives.” -- Gerald Wade
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