Tri-Community Coalition recently had the opportunity to attend the 2015 CADCA Leadership Forum in Washington D.C. Our intern, Dana Ocker, presented her poster at the Ideas Fair, which highlighted our youth group, Y.O.U., and the best ways to engage youth in prevention work. You can view the poster and handouts here.
Intern, Dana Ocker, Executive Director, Judy, & Program Director, Regina
Art is one of those psychological paradigms that just do not function when you’re stoned. I created this piece because drug induced states are often romanticized, but no one really thinks about the effects of addiction afterwards—hence zombie alien girl with bleeding eye sockets. I wish I could do something to make people, especially my peers, realize that being inebriated or under the influence of any kind of drugs isn’t even tertiary to survival, but until that point, I’ll shock them with semi grotesque images of what could happen.
Drugs are really bad, and I can't even begin to think of the reasons why somebody would dare to put their life is danger. My poster represents how someone's life could be so perfect, and then be torn to pieces by the decisions she makes. There are so many outside forces that can influence someone to take illegal drugs. There is peer pressure, stress, family issues, and so many other factors that can push someone to walk on a jeopardizing and dangerous road. But at the same time, there is always that voice of reason that is telling you otherwise. My poster shows how a girl who had a seemingly perfect life decided to take a pill, despite all of the warnings that she had already received from the people around her. Instead she fed into the lies and bad advice that spewed from the mouths of people who didn't care for her, and her life took a turn for the worse. My artwork shows that saying "No" is the best thing that you can ever do. Knowing that you stood your ground and put your body as the main priority is reassuring, and this way, you can go wherever you want to in life, without the crutch of a drug addiction paving the road before you.
Art is one of those psychological paradigms that just do not function when you’re stoned. I created this piece because drug induced states are often romanticized, but no one really thinks about the effects of addiction afterwards—hence zombie alien girl with bleeding eye sockets. I wish I could do something to make people, especially my peers, realize that being inebriated or under the influence of any kind of drugs isn’t even tertiary to survival, but until that point, I’ll shock them with semi grotesque images of what could happen.
Check out Tri-Community Coalition's PSA featuring Stephen Henderson, "Know Your Power, Be Your Own Person".
"Reincarnation into a Hallucinogenic World" by Aradhna Tandon - Oil on Canvas
Tri-Community Coalition is sponsoring an art fair competition to raise awareness about substance abuse prevention and addiction during National Drug Facts Week.
All students in grades 6-12 in Oakland County are eligible to participate. Submissions must be visual (painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, photography, etc.), and must be based on the theme of addiction or substance abuse prevention.
Coalitions will select winners in two categories: high school and middle school. Local coalitions will also be offering prizes to winners!
Students interested in participating in the Art Competition should submit their work to their local coalition. Contact Regina Hollingshead at regina.hollingshead@gmail.com or call 248.837.8009 to determine local coalition.
Important Dates:
For more details on how to enter and the specific guidelines, please click the link below:
We are very appreciative of all the community members that joined us Friday to show their support of TCC, their commitment to leadership, and their willingness to dialogue with others about local issues and topics.
Together with all of your support we were able to raise over $1600! These contributions help us continue our substance abuse prevention initiatives, contribute to our youth coalition's projects and activities, and increase the sustainability of our coalition.
Tri-Community Coalition thanks you for your kindness!
If you missed this year's Leadership Breakfast, you can watch the event in its entirety below thanks to Oak Park School District TV:
We also want to make a special thank-you to all of those who donated their time and effort in helping us put on this event: