Teens Suggest Solutions to the 'Nothing To Do' Problem

The Youth Task Force (YTF) of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. circulated a flyer in the town newspaper suggesting alternative activities to substance use and providing information and helpful resources, The Martha's Vineyard Times reported recently.

Since its formation in 2005, the YTF conducted a survey and, with the help of Brandeis University, held a forum to identify and address community issues, such as substance use. Brandeis helped the task force develop a 10-year plan to tackle the problems, assigning each to a specific working group.

One side of the flyer promotes public awareness about drugs, their effects, warning signs of usage and ways to find help. The other side offers positive solutions to the 'nothing to do blues,' with such suggestions as 'mow the lawn in designs' and 'help out at the senior center.'

'The substance abuse group is interested in encouraging the community, young people and adults, to focus on the positive things in life,' said Jane Dreeben, a psychologist at the Church Street Collaborative.

Ideas for the flyer arose at a brainstorming session of students from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.

'In pulling a group of students together, an incredible amount of creative ideas came out of it,' said Dreeben. 'We took our cues from the young people on how to present the information.'

YTF members are now considering putting the 101-plus activities list on T-shirts to be distributed to graduating 8th graders. The shirts might include the slogan, 'Boredom is a state of mind.'

Other working groups are focusing on parental support and after-school activities, and the YTF is also working on a resource website for teens and a mentoring program.