A student at Weber is striving towards preventing drug abuse and suicide. Avery Kane, junior, is working with the Weber Youth Council to achieve her goals of a drug-free community.
Kane traveled to the White House on Oct. 30 and 31. She spoke there with her youth council. She was on a panel with three other youth from other states across the country. There, she spoke of her group’s success to delegates and the media. There were 15 different coalitions that received a Blue-Ribbon Award; however, Kane had the opportunity, along with very few others, to sit at the White House.
Kane recently traveled to Washington, DC to speak at a conference on drug prevention. At DC, she earned the Blue-Ribbon Award, which serves the purpose of recognizing outstanding work from students in the US once a year. To get there, she worked with the Weber Youth Council to host events to help students avoid substance abuse. With this in their belt, the Weber Youth Council applied for the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant. The grant was able to provide them with the money they needed for their activities that they planned to do to spread awareness and caution about drug and substance abuse as well as suicide prevention. Afterwards, in Kane’s words, “The percentage of drug usage in the youth dropped, which allowed us to get the Blue-Ribbon Award.” The Blue-Ribbon Award is an award that gives recognition to students who go above and beyond the normal things asked of them.
Kane hasn’t always been on the drug-prevention scene. She even said, “When I was younger, I had no idea there was even drug prevention in the community.” Fortunately, when Kane was in Orion Junior High, her counselors told the HOPE Squad about the Weber Youth Council. At the time, Kane was part of HOPE Squad. The counselors said that the council would be a great opportunity for the HOPE Squad members to join. Kane went to a meeting for potential members of the council. There, she learned all about drug and substance abuse prevention.
Drugs are something that only bring hardship to those who use them, especially young adults. To prevent the use of them, many must keep an eye out for warning signs of possible substance abuse. Kane noted that many different things can draw people to substance abuse, but there are a few factors that stick out. Poor family relations and peer pressure can both lead to drug abuse. Other risk factors include “poor mental health, bad grades, [and even] a breakup.”
When asked where she would like her efforts with the Weber Youth Council to go in the following years, Kane said “I would like to make Weber County a more active community place.” She wants, and hopes, that someday all of the youth everywhere will feel belonging in their community. She hopes that the amount of substance abuse will decrease and mental health spirits will rise.
Kane isn’t just involved in suicide and drug abuse prevention. She is a member of eight different extracurricular activities. These include FFA, Weber Biz, Weber Empowering Women, GSA, Only Us, HOPE Squad, the 4-H Club, and tech theater. Even though she has a ton on her plate, Kane manages. She says she is successful “because I have a lot of people who are willing to help me with anything I need.” Her support team really helps her with all her jobs, but also the difficult topics that come with the intensity of drug and suicide prevention.
Kane has now been invited to return to Washington DC on a scholarship. She is one of nine representatives from the Weber Communities that Care (CDC). The trainers from Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) are attending with Kane. She will talk to many Utah representatives about drug prevention as well as topics regarding alcohol and tobacco use and mental health in the youth.
All in all, Kane and the Weber Youth Council is still working towards a more drug-free community. In closing, Kane wanted to deliver a message of hope and inspiration to any out there who are struggling with mental health or addiction. “You are not alone. I know everyone says that, but it’s true. It is also okay to be struggling, there is someone who can help you get help. There’re teachers, staff, counselors, and the HOPE Squad who are all there for you. If you are struggling, please speak up.”