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Youth in Action Core Projects
Law Enforcement Recognition
Youth plan events, large or small, to recognize the hard work and dedication of local law enforcement who enforce underage drinking laws.
Alco-pops Presentations
Youth inform adults about the specific dangers associated with these alcoholic beverages with special appeal to minors that are often difficult for adults to identify from other non-alcoholic beverages.
Sticker Shock
Youth work with retailers to place prevention messages on alcohol multi-packs and/or alcohol drink mixers, creating a visual reminder of underage drinking laws.
Contact Tara McGuire, State Youth Program Coordinator, at tara.mcguire@madd.org,
or 1-800-944-MADD to get involved today
Youth in Action is more than just a project- or a onetime event like Sticker Shock; it is teams consisting of youth and adults committed to reduce the available of alcohol to youth under the age of 21.
What are the goals of Youth in Action? To reduce youth access to alcohol by increasing awareness and enforcement of alcohol laws for alcohol retailers and community members, and to reach out to youth before peer pressure begins, as early as 4th grade.
Why is Youth in Action important?
Alcohol is the No. 1 drug of choice for American youth and kills more youth (5,000 youth each year) than all other illicit drugs combined.
Underage drinking damages the brain which to develops into early 20s. The MRI Brain Scan shows brain on the left has a substantially higher level of brain activity (indicated by areas of pink) than the brain on the right.
How has Youth in Action impacted communities?
From 2004-2008, Franklin County, KY, has seen its alcohol compliance rate increase from 79% to 100%.
From 2006-2008, Richmond, KY, has seen its alcohol compliance rate increase from 82% to 96%.
In 2008, 93% of 89 KY adults indicated they felt better informed to identify alcohol beverages from non-alcoholic beverages as result of Youth in Action Alco-pops Presentations.
With consistent activity, Youth in Action can prevent underage drinking!
Who gets involved: Teams usually begin in pre-existing youth organizations like Church Youth Groups, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), 4-H, Youth Drug Prevention Coalitions, Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD); however, any team of at least 2 youth (age 12-23), and at least 1 adult can get involved.
Check out our State-wide Map to see if there is a team near you (link)
Training: Teams of 2+ youth (age 12-23), and at least one adult begin by contacting tara.mcguire@madd.org to arrange a Youth in Action training. The training will last about 2-hours; and consist of the latest underage drinking prevention research; evidence-based prevention strategies; media advocacy; and community assessment. It is a fun and interactive experience, and will hopefully leave you energized and with ideas to incorporate Youth in Action into your already outstanding prevention approach.
Youth in Action Training Sample PowerPoint (download)
Required Forms: Advisors must ensure each youth has a permission form signed by a parent or guardian on file before they participate in any projects. In addition, at least one adult on each team must complete a background check with MADD National Office, and sign an agreement that they have obtained a permission form for each youth. These forms are available on this site.
Additional Forms to Download
2010 MADD KY Youth in Action Youth Permission and Media Release Form
2010 MADD KY Youth in Action Adult Coordinator Background Check Form
MADD Youth Policies and Procedures Manual as of 2006
The KY Youth in Action Program is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
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Tara McGuire, State Youth Program Coordinator, 649 Charity Court, Suite 10, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone 1-800-944-6233
or e-mail her at tara.mcguire@madd.org