LEADER PREPARATION

• Discuss with leaders, one month before actual presentation, the details and dynamics of the upcoming session with the teenagers.
• Ask leaders to research factors (of their own choosing), which may or may not affect teenagers. Have them research the more specific area of peer influences.
• Each leader should develop five questions that will be compiled to form the questionnaire to be used at the actual presentation.
• Talk to 20 teenagers, asking them to participate in the discussion with the leaders of our area. They will be asked to be honest with all their answers.
• Prepare a video of movie T.V., and MTV clips pointing out relevant messages about drugs or demonstrating the influence of drugs (particularly on the artist).

GROUP BUILDING

Any kind of ice breaker will help to break down barriers that might exist.

GROUP PRESENTATION

Ask each of the leaders to stand, say their name, and something about their past that is vulnerable yet humorous. This opens the door for the teenagers to share things that are vulnerable to them. Show video clips which will help in the discussion groups.

GROUP DISCUSSION

The leaders will divide the group into 5 separate subgroups and thoughtfully, using the questionnaire, find out all they can about the things that influence teenagers. Leaders will then get back together and combine results. The discussion will come from the questions from the survey, or questionnaire, in which the leaders will ask the teenagers in their specific groups. The leaders will interact with the teenagers to build on the trust of the relationship of the group.

WRAP-UP

The teenagers will have shared some vulnerable information and should feel nothing but acceptance for who they are and respect for those things that influence them most. Looking at lifestyles helps one to understand youth better. The best way to receive honest answers is to ensure that the results will remain in the hands of the leaders. This session is a privileged one and needs to be handled with regard.

EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP

The leaders will combine all the results and develop their own interpretation of what influences teenagers and how can leaders be more helpful, influential, and involved in their lives.

1. The significance of this presentation is to help leaders understand the youth culture better.
2. It is always best to go to the kids themselves to find out about them—their dreams, their influences, their fears, etc.
3. Other professionals in touch with kids are a great resource but youth are the true experts about themselves. They are insightful. Pay attention to their ideas and insights.

IMPLICATIONS

To help leaders discover what influences teenagers in their decision to use or abstain from drugs.

OVERVIEW