Newsletter MADD Teen Influencer September 2024: National Recovery Month
My Reasons
Hispanic Heritage
Sober September
Willow interviews her classmates about what motivates them to be alcohol and drug free.
Ben explains his personal reasons for choosing not to drink alcohol.
Riley helps us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 to October 15.
1 by Willow Roberts, MADD Teen Influencer There are so many reasons for being alcohol and drug-free, especially when you’re under the age of 21. I interviewed my peers to find out their reasons for staying sober. Sober September
One thing that keeps me sober is my love for filming! I started filming during junior year when I joined my IB Film class. Film sort of acts as a way to express my feelings. It’s a creative outlet for me. I think passion is a key to get people to stay sober and live a healthier lifestyle.
MADD Teen Influencer
September 2024
I aspire to be sober because I have too much of a promising future ahead of me. I don’t want to be dumb in high school and have a bad reputation follow me. I don’t wanna seem like a bad student, and want honor to follow my name and my parent’s name.
As an athlete, I know being sober is very important. Not only would any drugs or substances affect my physical performance, but my mental one as well. I care a lot about my team and our performance. I also care a lot about how much effort and time my parents put into this so I can do my sport. So, I stay sober to support my team and myself.
MADD Teen Influencer
September 2024
Ask A Teen Influencer Looking for some advice? Submit questions anonymously with the link below or by clicking on the icon to the left. MADD Teen Influencers may respond to your question on the next episode of Healthy Teen Talks! TINYURL.COM/MADDTEENADVICE
by Ben Haworth, MADD Teen Influencer My Personal Reasons to Stay Sober 2
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), around 13 million people from the ages of 12 to 20 consume alcohol. That’s nearly a third of the entire age demographic. While these statistics are certainly concerning, their magnitude can often mask the unfortunate personal experiences and difficulties that come with such risky decisions. The numbers don’t lie, but perhaps it would be better to direct our attention to some more practical, tangible reasons to avoid drinking entirely. While staying sober might not be the most popular choice among most teens, I made the decision not to drink long before my high school journey began. One major reason I chose sobriety was the overall negative health issues that come with
drinking, especially with a body that is still growing. The underdeveloped teenage brain is more likely to become addicted to alcohol than an adult brain. Our reward systems can very easily be hijacked by any addictive substance, but, unlike in adults, alcohol can permanently damage the adolescent brain, often
MADD Teen Influencer
September 2024
leading to lifelong dependencies. Given my family’s history with alcoholism, I would be wise to avoid having a drink at my seventeen years of age. Alcoholism is considered a familial disorder and genetics can play a part in development. Knowing this prior to starting high school, I was aware that social and environmental factors could be highly influential on me, so my decision to avoid drinking altogether completely made sense.
In addition to addiction, teenagers who are caught drinking alcohol can face legal consequences, including fines, hours of mandatory community service, loss of driving privileges, or even jail time. In California, a minor who consumes or purchases alcohol in a public place is guilty of a misdemeanor. These charges can and will appear on permanent records. No high schooler would want a college admissions officer to see a reckless and careless offense when evaluating a prospective student. It is in my best interest, or that of any other aspiring college student, to avoid committing any crimes, no matter how “harmless” or “minor” they may appear. Over the past three years as a teen influencer for
MADD, I have learned that what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular. Where there is resistance, change often follows, so I continue to be loud while advocating for my community to confront issues like alcohol abuse head on. I can’t stop every teenager under the influence of drugs and alcohol from getting behind the wheel, but I can help tackle my community’s most vulnerable trigger points in order to make it safer for all individuals.
MADD Teen Influencer
September 2024
Nominate an Influencer of the Month! Do you know an influential teen who is a great role model? We would love to spotlight them! Click on the icon to the left or use the link below to share why they should be MADD's Influencer of the Month!
TINYURL.COM/MADDIOTM
Hispanic Heritage Month 3
by Riley Ramirez, MADD Teen Influencer
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. MADD embraces the individuals, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that shape our world. These diverse perspectives are critical in building the foundation that will enable MADD to achieve our mission of No More Victims.
MADD's mission is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking. The purpose of the Teen Influencer Group is to provide leadership development for teens by training them to be peer-to-peer educators. These teens provide MADD with the youth perspective and use their voice to educate the public. By reducing and then eliminating underage drinking, these teens will help MADD end drunk driving.
@MADDCalifornia
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