Youths: Don't yield to drugs, alcohol

Being a member of Partnership Carson City's youth group, YIELD, has helped Stephanie Barreto, 13, become more steadfast in her decisions.

"I know that if my friends ask me to drink or whatever, I'll say no because I know what the consequences are," she said. "It can affect college or you could get in a car crash and stuff like that."

YIELD, Youth Influencing Everyday Life Decisions, started in July with middle- and high-schoolers.

Upon joining the club, youth sign a pledge to abstain from drugs and alcohol. But the club goes beyond that to teach members about healthy life choices, and to raise awareness about dangers such as bullying and suicide, said leader Hannah McDonald, a 2006 Carson High School graduate.

She said the earlier they are exposed to those types of messages, the better.

"All of our Nevada statistics show youth are starting to do drugs by the fifth grade," she said. "They are experimenting with marijuana and alcohol by the fourth grade."

Brittany Clifton, 11, wants to prevent her friends and family from going down that road.

"I joined so if somebody started to do drugs, I could tell them to stop," she said. "They could die."

The group met last week to work on designs for signs that can be hung from door knobs.

Jaime Gudino, 12, wrote simply, "I have my reasons."

He explained: "I have my reasons not to do drugs because it hurts your body. God made your body and you should give it back the way he gave it to you."

McDonald said middle school is a good time to influence youths' choices.

"Middle school is the age when youth are wanting to experiment, from makeup to dyeing their hair, to having a sip of beer or going to parties," McDonald said. "If we educate and prevent now, they will hopefully continue a healthy lifestyle."

The CHS alumna said she knows it's possible to avoid straying, from her own experience in Stand Tall Don't Fall, a predecessor to the club.

"With all of the youth I did Stand Tall Don't Fall with, over the years we maintained the lifestyle," she said. "It wasn't just a club; it became a bond and a friendship."

BKOUT

To learn more about YIELD, visit partnershipcarsoncity.org or call Hannah McDonald at (775) 841-4730 ext. 205.