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Teen Health Council Members Attend Tennessee Teen Institute

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MARTIN (June 17-22) — Students from Carroll County recently joined 490 youth leaders from across the state at the Tennessee Teen Institute held on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The Tennessee Teen Institute (TTI) is a five-day youth leadership and prevention camp sponsored by the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA). This year marked the 30th Anniversary of the Teen Institute Program in Tennessee. The program addresses teen issues such as bullying, violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, distracted driving, teen health and substance abuse prevention through a five-day, peer-led prevention camp designed to provide teen participants with the skills and education necessary to develop and implement alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs in their own communities.
This is a comprehensive program that trains, mobilizes and empowers youth to prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and self-destructive behaviors in themselves and their peers. TTI prepares students to not only make positive changes, but to be proud advocates of those changes. Students have the opportunity to grow and learn as individuals, while enhancing their leadership abilities. Because TTI is peer-led, teens are given a unique opportunity to have a “voice” in addressing issues important to them. Giving youth some ownership in this type of program is one of the key factors in the success of enforcing a substance-free lifestyle. The mission statement for the Teen Institute Program is: “To empower Tennessee’s youth to lead by example and take an active role in bringing about positive changes by giving them the skills, knowledge, and support they need make healthy choices, build positive relationships and live substance free lives.” For more information about the Tennessee Teen Institute, visit www.tnteeninstitute.net.