The Educator
A publication of the Drug Free Schools Committee at HVCASA - Fall 2016
Sheila Levine, Chairperson Martha Shilstone Fran Chappa Athela Sibilia Kate Planz
Maryanne Pieratti Maggie Meriwether Stan Watkins Pula Grayson Sara Iadarola Pam Walker
Caitlin Lewis Ginny Verhoff Dianna DiNardo Carolyn Cunningham Sandy Atanasoff Ashley Adamson
YOLO
Be Drug Free ™
Potential. Everyone has it. Kid’s potential is unlimited. The sky is the limit. There is
no concept of incapability. If you put a problem in front of a child that is unsolvable, they will
solve it. Probably in some unique fashion that an adult would never have thought possible.
Look at child proof equipment. How many adults have a problem opening that child proofed
cabinet? And yet turn your back for a second and there is little Emma, in the pantry, banging
the pots and pans together. She did not know she should not be able to do that. So she did it.
So what happens to all that potential- the belief that anything is possible go?
Does it have to go anywhere?
What can we as parents, teachers, mentors, and role models do to keep our kids unlimited?
We can help assure the youth of today
that they have the tools necessary to
believe in themselves. That they have
support, empowerment, boundaries and
expectations, and constructively use
time. This will lead them to have strong
internal assets of commitment to
learning, positive values, social
competence, and ultimately a positive
identity.
A youth is to be regarded with
respect. How do we know that his
future will not be equal to our
present?
― Confucius, The Life and Wisdom of Confucius
Well, doesn’t that just sound extremely defined and professional?
Yes it does, and yes it is. These building blocks for healthy development have been
researched, defined, refined and created over the course of 50 years by the Search Institute.
An organization whose sole goal is “Discovering what kids need to succeed”. These building
blocks are the core of the 40 Developmental Assets. To understand more go to:
http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18
This publication is partially funded by CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as well as SP020861 from ONDCP and
SAMHSA. The views expressed in materials, and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the White House
Office of National Drug Control Policy or the Dept. of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or
organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Housatonic Valley Coalition Against Substance Abuse 203-743-7741
www.hvcasa.org
Ok, ok. So all that makes sense. The Search Institute has been around a long time; they have
done their research and created a list of 40 Developmental Assets. Honestly, these assets
sound good, but how can they be incorporated into the lives of our kids?
Well that is an excellent question.
Let’s return to the title of this educator:
YOLO
Be Drug Free ™
YOLO. You Only Live Once. Be
Drug Free. It is this is the national
theme for Red Ribbon Week 2016,
which is October 23-31 across the
nation. Red Ribbon week is a
program sponsored by the National
Family Partnership. A week
sponsored to promote healthy
substance free living and to show
your support of that lifestyle
throughout the community.
Redribbon.org has many options to
help this effort:
 Drug Free Pledges for kids
 Drug Free Pledges for adults
 National photo contest
 A yearly theme contest
 A Red Ribbon planning guide
There are other options out there. The Chris Herren Project supports recovery. And its
Project Purple Initiative is a super successful youth community project to promote positive
self-identity and the concept that students do not need drugs and alcohol to get through life.
And remember any individual’s potential to help others is not limited to the information in
this educator! Anyone has the capability to have a positive impact on life.
It only takes one to make a difference!
This publication is partially funded by CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as well as SP020861 from ONDCP and
SAMHSA. The views expressed in materials, and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the White House
Office of National Drug Control Policy or the Dept. of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or
organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Housatonic Valley Coalition Against Substance Abuse 203-743-7741
www.hvcasa.org