Two SPF100 Leaders role playing how they would interact with individuals in the community.

By Cathleen Twardzik

In 2006, SPF100 was founded to involve youth to help find solutions to drug and alcohol abuse in Somerville.

“We need more positive role-models in our community, and we are up for the job,” said Sarah Hassan, 16, a youth leader with the group.

The group’s teen leaders include Joytika Bhargo, Sarah Hassan, Susan Hassan, Quinton Hawkins, Selena Quintonilla, Edwin Tejada and Kelen Velasquez.

The anti-drug group is a program of Somerville Cares About Prevention and is managed by the Somerville Health Department.

The SPF100 Youth Leaders are committed to the reduction of underage drinking, drug abuse and destructive decisions among Somerville teenagers. They work to accomplish that by providing the city with community education, collaboration, policy development and policy enforcement, according to a press release.

One activity, Sticker Shock, involves placing stickers in numerous bars and stores to foster effective alcohol awareness. Those stickers remind adults of the illegality of providing alcohol to minors, said Joytika Bhargo, 15, SPF100 Youth Leader.

However, the message continues. Area bars were adorned by Sticker Shock coasters and table tents, said Quinton Hawkins, 15, another youth leader.

Another effort led by the teens, Shoulder Taps, reinforces to adults, “not to provide alcohol to minors. We stood near [local] liquor stores and asked adults if they were willing to sell alcohol to us – even though we were minors,” said Hassan.

The teenage activists have also organized presentations and discussions to examine the role of peer pressure in substance abuse.

Hassan routinely gives this advice to Somerville’s students: “Do not drink or do drugs.  You’ll have much more fun without them. Remember your goals and how you got there.  Think before you act.”

This month, “SPF100 is conducting its annual Holiday Sticker Shock Campaign.  Its purpose is to “remind adults that it is illegal to provide alcohol to people under 21,” said Lovelee Heller, Community Organizer of SCAP.  She is also in charge of the SPF100 Youth leaders.

The Shoulder Taps [Survey] occurred at SCAP recently, and mini-Prevention Trainings premiered this month.

“The most important mission of SCAP is to reduce youth access to alcohol by changing community norms that support underage drinking,” said Heller.

SCAP’s goals are to amass community members to help to protect youth and to influence them to make positive choices, as well as to increase people’s knowledge of the risks, which are linked to substance use, according to the organization’s Web site.