Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Teens find common ground resisting substance abuse

ICAN

Jummel Hidrosollo / Special to the Home News

Youth liaison Mary Cannizzaro, left, and Cassandra Mellor participate in the knot activity during the ICAN monthly meeting Dec. 9 at the Clark County Government Center.

ICAN

Silverado sophomore Zak Dronek, 15, participates in discussion during the ICAN monthly meeting Dec. 9 at the Clark County Government Center. Launch slideshow »

More info

For more information about Issues Concerning Adolescents of Nevada, visit www.icanlv.org or call 451-ICAN (4226).

In an environment where refusing to drink a beer or pop a prescription pill at a party can result in being labeled uncool or a goody two shoes, a group of local teens have found a place where they can fit in without facing peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.

Providing a healthy, enriching and supportive environment for teens and pre-teens who choose to make a commitment to abstain, the group Issues Concerning Adolescents of Nevada (ICAN) serves students from all over the Las Vegas Valley.

During monthly meetings attended by choice as an extracurricular activity by students in middle and high school, the teens come together to socialize, learn about drugs and alcohol, learn leadership skills and discuss concerns about friends or acquaintances who have taken an alternative path. Meetings are open to all students and are regularly attended by a core group of youths.

During a meeting Dec. 9, the group of about 30 students sat with somber faces in a meeting room at the Clark County Government Center.

Instances of peers becoming addicted to smoking, being expelled for having marijuana and cocaine on them on school property and making mixed drinks of vodka and orange juice to pass around between classes were all discussed by the group.

Group leaders advised the concerned teens to tell an authority figure such as a dean or counselor whenever they become aware of such activities.

Emily Ross, a junior at Green Valley High School and group member, said some of the ramifications of making the choice to not participate in activities involving drugs and/or alcohol have been tough to deal with.

"It's really hard when you're at a party and people call you a goody two shoes. It's hard to be called that stuff when you're like 'I know I'm making the right choice,'" Ross said.

Her sister and CEO of ICAN, Jamie Ross, said a big focus of the group is giving students like Emily and her peers the leadership skills necessary to say no.

"We teach that in order to fit in with any group, you don't need to do anything that will be harmful to yourself or others," Jamie Ross said.

The group also aims to give its members the skills and confidence to spread that message to their peers.

Silverado High School student Anita Albanese, 14, said she has learned from the group the importance of being willing to both stand up to her friends and to get help for them.

She said she has also learned that if she does everything she can to be a leader, she will be looked up to and turned to for help.

Eighth-grader Tucker St. John, the president of the Students Taking Action to Terminate Unlawful Substances Club at Jack Lund Schofield Middle School, said being part of ICAN has helped him figure out how to help people who have lost their way learn about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

"If we could educate people and get them to realize that this stuff is really bad for them, we could save a lot of lives," he said.

Ashley Livingston can be reached at 990-8925 or [email protected].

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