Seventh and eighth graders from Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Guadalupe will be partying in a drug- and alcohol-free environment on Oct. 18 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Santa Maria Saturn dealership thanks to Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley.
“This is a chance for kids to have a good time without the pressures of drugs and alcohol,” said the organization’s educational coordinator, Gina Cortez.
This will be the fourth year running that Fighting Back has sponsored the event, which has attracted more than 1,200 kids in the past.
According to its website, Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley is “a coalition of local political and business leaders, governmental and private youth/family service agencies, law enforcement, faith organizations, health providers, youth, and parents who are serving children, teens, and families in Northern Santa Barbara County.”
In order to take part in the event, kids must pledge to be drug and alcohol free for the weekend of Oct. 17 through 19. As a reward for doing so, attendees are going to have a wide variety of activities from which to choose.
The parking lot at the Saturn dealership will be completely cleared out and will feature bumper cars, a bounce house, a boxing ring, a make-up and hair station, and a skate ramp. In addition to food and drinks, there will be sno cones, cotton candy, and a 5-foot chocolate fountain. Fun from Boomers and Motionz will also be provided.
“It’s a big giant party for them,” Cortez said. “We’ll have DJs on hand, as well as The Beat radio stations.”
The group has been visiting local schools to talk about the event, and also to get the word out regarding its message on drug and alcohol use among teens. According to a survey from the organization’s website, 23 percent of 7th graders had tried drugs or alcohol at least once, with that number increasing to 65 percent of 11th graders.
With drug and alcohol use becoming a serious problem among teens and youth, Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley was formed out of valley residents’ concern about rising substance abuse—and related delinquent behavior among youth.
“Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of children, teens, and their families by offering a variety of prevention and educational services to help address problems of risks associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, as well as violence, teen pregnancy, abuse, crime, school dropout, and other related social issues,” the website states.
Pre-registration for the event at Saturn is required. To sign someone up for the event, or for more information, contact Cortez at 346-1774 or visit www.fightingbacksmb.com.
Intern Nicholas Walter compiled this week’s Community Corner. Items for consideration should be sent to mail@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 16-23, 2008.