Members of the San Juan County Youth Council represented the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition and the Lopez Island Prevention Coalition during a weeklong training program with nearly 80 other prevention coalitions from around the world.

This event was sponsored by the Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America.

Participants learned valuable skills and gained the confidence to bring change to the community on important issues like substance abuse and other current problems teens may face.

During the training, participants were asked, “What do you need from your community to succeed?”

Teddy McCullough, a recent Lopez graduate and founder of the SJCYC and Brett Paul and Sam Waite, both entering their Junior year at Friday Harbor High School, all answered the value of guidance from their community members and shared resources.

They have the drive and desire, but could use the help of the community to implement their goals for positive change in the community.

To help, contact the prevention coalitions on San Juan Island 378-9683 or Lopez Island 468-3770.