Several Teen Institute (TI) members attended the Drug-Free Action Alliance’s (DFAA) We Are the Majority Rally and concert to show that the majority of teenagers do not abuse drugs.
The rally and concert included various group activities, speakers and a march around the state house. Executive Director of the DFAA Marcie Seidel runs all the programs run by the agency. Seidel explained the reasoning behind the rally.
“The core of it is that [the young people who attend] are the majority who do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Sometimes they do not get paid attention to, but the young people that do get involved with using and abusing substances tend to make all the news,” Seidel said.
This year’s rally and concert speaker and performer is Grammy-nominated artist Mario Barrett, whose foundation Mario Do Right Foundation focuses on preventing substance abuse. Seidel shared how she came in contact with Mario.
“We have a national organization that we are involved in called CADCA. Mario played at their national conference back in February, and our folks that went to conference and saw him said he did a phenomenal job of [delivering] a solid prevention message and relating to young people,” Seidel said.
President of TI, senior LeAnn Greer attended the rally and encouraged other students to do the same. Greer has participated in Teen Institute for four years now. Greer explained why she wanted other students to attend this year.
“Other teens gain the experience to speak up and show their drug freeness. I think they will gain a realization of the percentage of students that do not use and to see that they are not alone,” Greer said.
The We Are the Majority rally has taken place for three years now, and Greer went to the rally last year as well. Greer described the event what makes the event enjoyable.
“It was just full of so much energy and excitement from the teens that are a part of it. At the rally we receive things like headbands, shirts and other stuff. We then go into this huge room and you see all the empowerment of the teens and youth around you and it’s overwhelming,” Greer said.
Student groups like Actively Caring for People from Chardon High School also attended and encouraged students to make a difference in their communities by starting similar programs. Greer convinced senior Heather Wisler to attend as well. Wisler also participates in Teen Institute and spoke of the rally’s significance.
“The rally is important because it shows youth involvement and how we can make a difference,” Wisler said.
The We Are the Majority Rally and Concert promoting a drug-free lifestyle took place on April 30 from 9 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. in Columbus, and over 1800 students from all over Ohio attended.