Power of Peers
Mission ~ to educate, inspire, and promote a drug-free lifestyle today for the leaders of tomorrow.
Who are they?
- Peer Leaders are students who want to make a difference in their schools and communities
- They care about others
- They understand that most of their peers do not to use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.
- They feel it is important to take a public stand against substance use
What do they do?
- Educate their peers about the effects of underage drinking and illegal drug use
- Work together with the community to establish a new norm that does not include underage drinking and illegal drug use
- Act as role models who encourage others to make positive choices and be leaders
- Work on prevention strategies within their schools and communities
- Speak with community and school leaders regarding important issues
- Build their skills and resumes
- Attend leadership trainings/camps
Some examples of activities POP activities include:
- Classroom Presentations at Alton Middle School
- Madison County Youth Forum (county-wide event)
- Youth Speak Out (Alton/Godfrey event)
- Assist with social media efforts
- Media and Marketing Campaigns
- Poster Presentations
- Skits, songs & videos
- Lunch and Learn sessions at Alton High School
- Red Ribbon Week activities (October)
- National Drug Facts Week activities (January)
- Opportunities to influence school and community leaders
- Community Service Activities
- Mentoring Programs
- Homecoming and/or Prom Week activities
Peer Leaders Also:
- Give information about underage drinking and substance abuse
- Help others learn crucial life skills such as assertiveness, problem solving, and stress management.
- Help their peers understand that most high school students do not use alcohol or other drugs.
- Lead discussion about, suggest, and implement alternatives to using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
- Assist in solving problems
- Are good communicators
- Act as positive role models for fellow peers and younger students
- Provide support for teens as they learn new ideas, behaviors, information, techniques, etc.
- Point peers dealing with problems in the right direction
What Peer Leaders Do NOT Do:
- Do NOT provide counseling or intervention for fellow teens
- Do NOT use ATOD under any circumstances
- Do NOT judge other teen’s choices, but do encourage them to make healthy choices
