Youth to Youth, a drug-free program run by Cayman Against Substance Abuse, has once again resumed.
Y2Y is a positive peer prevention program that originated in Columbus, Ohio in 1982 by Y2Y International. Since its inception, Y2Y has practiced a comprehensive approach to the prevention of tobacco, alcohol and other drug usage by teens, said a press release from the group.
Y2Y focuses on four areas within its comprehensive approach: drug education and information; personal growth and decision making; environmental change; and drug-free fun.
Every year Y2Y International has three conferences in the United States. This year CASA had the privilege of taking 11 students to Y2Y’s Western States Conference in Claremont, California from 8-14 July.
‘The students had an amazing time at the conference,’ said CASA’s Youth Services Coordinator, Tanya Ebanks. ‘They learnt so much about themselves and about accepting people no matter what they look like. They gained a greater understanding of the Y2Y program and are now ready and excited to put all they learned at conference into practice here at home.’
Kimone Chambers, a John Gray High School student who attended conference, was impressed with the event. ‘It was a wonderful experience and it helped me to see the impact drug use can have on one’s life and the tools needed in order to make the right decisions.’
Kristina Buckeridge, a student from St. Ignatius High School, also agreed the experience was rewarding.
‘The conference helped me look at people differently. It made me mindful of my views of people and showed me that everyone should be accepted.’
CASA’s Annual National Youth to Youth Conference will be held on the 30 September and 1 October. The conference will be held at the Church of God Chapel on Walkers Road and Academy Way.
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