AIM HIGH WORKS TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE MISUSE AMONG TEENS

Substance-use prevention has been around for a long time. From the “Just Say No” campaign of the ’80s to the OC Sheriff’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program that provides education to school-age youth on the dangers of drugs.

What we have learned is that prevention should include more than campaigns instructing youth to say no to drugs, or stand-alone education about the harms of youth using alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.

Such substances are prevalent and easy to access, and use of alcohol and marijuana is endorsed by celebrities and our culture. This is causing low perception of harm from their use. When teens are asked why they use drugs, they say, “to escape reality,” “to chill out,” “to numb the anxiety,” or to “de-stress.”

What prevention professionals are hearing is that teens need support, and when they lack support, they find it in drugs and alcohol.

Before my partner, Greta, passed away last October, she and I had seen Rosanne, along with her husband, co-writer/producer, and arranger John Leventhal, in concert five times. Seeing Rosanne last week was the sixth time for me.

The Musco Center for the Arts is a magnificent concert hall. It was packed. The ushers and workers, mainly Chapman students, are pleasant, friendly, and helpful. My buddy Mike and I were given “All Access” badges when we checked in (I had informed Rosanne earlier that we were attending).

Check the Musco website at muscocenter.org for upcoming shows.

John is a master guitar player; he joined in on limited vocals with Rosanne, his wife of 29 years. They have fun together on stage. They performed without an intermission for 90 minutes.

It’s evident that Rosanne loves the United States; she mentioned unity for our country several times.

Her rendition of “The Long Black Veil” was spellbinding. She sang a host of other songs including “Sea of Heartbreak,” an old Don Gibson tune.

She ended the concert with her 1981 No. 1 hit song, “Seven Year Ache.”

The applause brought Rosanne and John back for an encore; she sang “Tennessee Flat Top Box,” a tune I heard her father sing in person multiple times.

After the show, Rosanne greeted Mike and me warmly backstage for a nice chat and photo-op.

Add a future Rosanne Cash concert to your bucket list; it will be one of the most enjoyable 90 minutes of your life.

Find out more about Rosanne at rosannecash.com. SC this program is that teens gain more than awareness or knowledge; they gain tangible skills that they can use in their daily lives, and they often develop a new passion.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com.

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In 2022, the AIM High program was established by the Noble Path Foundation in partnership with the Community Outreach Alliance (COA). The Wellness & Prevention Coalition has long been a partner with AIM High and COA to support healthy youth.

The AIM (Advocacy, Inspiration, Mentorship) High program combines education with leadership development, skill-building, social activities and connections to supportive services.

During the seven-week program, teens learn about wellness and nutrition, healthy relationships and communication, as well as coping strategies to handle everyday challenges and societal pressures.

Additionally, wellness activities are offered to promote healthy habits among peers, such as yoga, music lessons, gardening, art, and supervised social activities. The AIM High program also connects youth to career development programs to provide opportunities for professional growth, helping youth in exploring future goals.

AIM High is a great example of how a community can work together to support young people. Wellness & Prevention Center staff member Leslie Lopez and local marriage and family therapist Holly Grupe will facilitate the winter session.

Workshops will be led by the Wellness & Prevention Center, Laura’s House, Partners4Wellness, Connect-OC, the Santa Ana Police Department, Lead2Goals, The Noble Path Foundation, and OBEY Clothing.

To learn more, visit thenoblepathfoundation.org/aim-high/

BY LAUREN GALLEGOS

Substance-use prevention must be holistic and supportive, and the AIM High program through the Noble Path Foundation addresses healthy youth development to prevent unhealthy choices.

Most importantly, AIM High and all Noble Path activities are free to participants, making a healthier future accessible for everyone.

I have been working closely with the AIM High program and Noble Path since 2018 as a speaker, facilitator, and supporter. What I find special about

The Noble Path Foundation is a sector leader for the Wellness & Prevention Coalition, a federally funded Drug Free Communities coalition working collaboratively to lower youth substance use in San Clemente. To find out more or join the coalition, please email leslie@wpc-oc.org. SC Lauren Gallegos, ACSW, is the Prevention Director at the Wellness & Prevention Center.

The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.