The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions.

TREND

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse--St. Louis Area
St. Louis, MO

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Have you ever heard any of these statements: "Everybody will be there!" "There's nothing else to do!" "It's the only place to have fun!"?

If none of these sounds familiar, you probably haven't spoken to many teens lately about what they do on the weekends. Alcohol and other drug parties are probably the most common gathering places for youth today, and teens often use the above rationalizations to justify their participation.

But does this mean all teens attending these parties are alcoholics or drug addicts? No. In fact, many would prefer not to use alcohol or drugs or even be around those who do. But if staying away means no social life--then forget it. It's tough enough taking an unpopular "no use" stand, but asking a teen to give up having fun is asking too much.

Teens want to get together with friends, dance, listen to music, meet new people, in short, to have a good time. A group of teens graduating from the 1986 Missouri Teen Institute on Substance Abuse wasn't very different, except they wanted all these things minus the alcohol and other drugs. So, with some help from the NCADD St. Louis Affiliate, they began hosting some drug-free alternative activities. The result was so phenomenal--hundreds of teens showed and begged for more--that it wasn't long before Monsanto Company, a St. Louis-based corporation, became interested and began providing major financial support.

"Turning Recreational Excitement in New Directions," or TREND, emerged. Over the past nine years TREND has promoted parties, community service projects, educational programs and leadership development with a "no use" message. Once a local program, today it is a national student-led movement with over 300 chapters in 15 states. TREND now offers not only drug-free alternatives, but it also has become a peer network for youth choosing to be drug-free. Expressing the feeling of many "TRENDsetters," a high school student in Verona, NJ said "Being involved with TREND has played an important role in my life during high school. Thanks to the TREND program I have met true friends who have been able to share my enthusiasm of being alcohol and drug-free."

"TREND came at an ideal time in the evolution of prevention programming in this country," observed Ed Tasche, executive director of the NCADD St. Louis Affiliate. "Today a greater emphasis is being placed on community development and empowerment, but far too often groups can't get past the level of meeting and networking. TREND offers such community partnerships and task forces a tangible strategy around which to rally."

It's a perfect marriage. TREND needs facilities, food, transportation, chaperons, prizes, security, printing, adult sponsors, etc. Communities need a way to get involved; they need to see the results of their efforts; and they need to feel what they have done is worthwhile.

From its inception, TREND has attracted interest from the media, business, community schools and civic organizations. Among TRENDS's many collaborators are Six Flags Over Mid-America, Vess Soda, AMC Theaters, the St. Louis Ambush soccer team and McDonald's restaurants. Perhaps its greatest community partner to date has been the Missouri National Guard. With its directive to become involved in drug-demand reduction, the Guard has been involved in everything from leadership retreats, to sponsoring contests, to hosting a battle of the bands. "TREND is a win-win venture for everyone," says warrant officer Peggy Quigg, drug-demand reduction coordinator with the Guard. "TREND has allowed the military to join hands with schools and communities to offer what all adults want for young people--safe and fun activities, free of alcohol and other drugs."

So, the next time you hear teens express frustration with the alcohol and other drug part scene in your community, tell them about TREND. Better yet, call TRENDS toll-free number (see above) and get information on starting a chapter in your area. Information is also available about the National TREND Conference held annually in August in St. Louis, plus opportunities for agencies to promote TREND as a TREND Affiliate in their local area. One of the most active TREND Affiliates is the Teen Institute of the Garden State (TIGS), a program of the NCADD Affiliate in Montclair, NJ. Over 50 TREND chapters have been organized by TIGS student leaders.

Help your local teens experience what over one million others already have: the opportunity to learn, grown, and have fun without the pressure to use alcohol and other drugs.

Missouri TRENDsetter Heather Dennis used a local newspaper interview to appeal to her community for support. "Getting involved with teens by supporting their drug-free activities can make a healthier, happier generation of youth. It takes dedication and commitment, but it can only happen if you want it to."

(revised 1/97)

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022 phone: 212/269-7797   fax: 212/269-7510 email: national@ncadd.org   http://www.ncadd.org HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)