What is the policy?
The Colorado 4-H Youth Development Program has no tolerance for the possession or use of alcohol or other illegal drugs at youth events. 4-H prohibits the unlawful distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances, illegal drugs, and alcohol by youth or adults.
What’s the bottom line?
Making choices about whether or not to consume alcohol or other illegal drugs is really not
about anyone else. It’s only about you.
Why do teens use drugs or alcohol?
Youth who use illegal drugs or alcohol do it for many reasons. The most cited reason is that their friends have tried them and they don’t want to feel left out. Pressure from friends and peers is sometimes difficult for teens to handle.
It seems that everyone is drinking or using drugs. Is that true?
No. All kids don’t drink or use illegal drugs, although many will experiment with them during their teenage years.
It may just be that the people you’re hanging out with are drinking and using illegal drugs.
What are the risks to me if my friends are drinking?
When you go along with friends who use alcohol and illegal drugs, you are putting
yourself in jeopardy. The risks include:
- Feeling afraid and anxious about what might happen because of your secret and illegal activities
- Feeling guilty because you did not stick to your own beliefs
- Losing friends who don’t use illegal drugs or alcohol
- Losing friends who use and get in tragic accidents
- Losing friends because you didn’t take action and ask them to stop
- Losing friends because you asked them to stop
- Getting physically or psychologically hooked
- Getting caught and suffering the consequences
- Losing the privilege of attending 4-H events, county and state fairs, etc.
How will 4-H respond?
- You will call your parents at whatever time alcohol issues are discovered and you will be sent home.
- Your room, luggage and vehicle may be searched.
- Police may be called and you may be cited for possession, consumption or other criminal activity.
- You may be administered a field sobriety or breath alcohol test.
- You will be disqualified from competitive events.
- You will lose the privilege of attending Colorado, regional or national 4-H activities for a year.
- You will lose the privilege of exhibiting at county, state, regional fairs, shows and livestock events where Extension Agents must certify that you are a member in good standing.
- The Colorado FFA program and 4-H are working together to communicate problems and ensure consistent treatment of individuals across programs.
What are the risks if you don’t go along?
There’s only one risk – that of being rejected by these ‘friends.’
While it may be difficult for you to turn your back on people you have considered friends, remember that most teens are not using illegal drugs. Real friends care about your well-being and won’t pressure you to do something unhealthy or dangerous.
The benefits of not going along are:
- maintaining your integrity
- full participation in 4-H and related activities
- saving you, and your friends, from bigger problems
- showing your friends how much you care about them