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Sprague A4K: An Approach to Rural Substance Abuse, Crime, and Intergenerational Problems

Joy Wilken
Sprague, Washington

Abstract A small rural community in eastern Washington, alarmed by substance abuse, vandalism, and intergenerational distance, formed a group called A4K, which stands for "Adults for Kids." A4K offers personal adult involvement and healthy alternative recreational activities for teens. Other communities in the county have adopted the A4K name and have also begun to promote substance-free and intergenerational activities.

Sprague is a community of just under 500 located in eastern Washington. The nearest town with any services is 24 miles away. There are no businesses open after 8 o'clock at night and no places of entertainment (video games, movies, bowling, etc.) at all. Due to the lack of entertainment, many young people resorted to mischievous forms of entertainment, causing vandalism, crime, and substance-related incidents to escalate. With nothing else to do, the pressure to join the party scene became extreme for many young people. Many commented that they often went to parties even though they did not drink or do drugs just so they could be with the rest of the kids. Not only did this situation have a detrimental effect on the youth of Sprague, but these activities also caused increased intergenerational problems. The elderly were intimidated and afraid to leave their homes, and other members of the community were fed up with the destruction and bad attitudes. Because the resulting conflict involved not just a group of teenagers, but an entire community, a solution needed to be reached as a community.

A group of adults met to see if there was something they could do to make a difference in what was happening to our community and young people. The group was concerned with the levels of vandalism in our homes and public parks and the unhealthy climate our senior citizens were feeling due to intimidation. They were also concerned with the rising levels of drug and alcohol use and the exposure to vandalism, gangs, and substance abuse that non-using kids were subjected to because there were no alternatives.

Methods

The group met with parents and concerned citizens to identify problem areas and peak times of trouble. They met with youth specialists from schools, drug and counseling agencies, and other youth organizations to do research on alternatives. From the Lincoln County Alcohol and Drug Center Survey, which utilized the DASA Risk Factor Indicator, we inferred that the continued attitude that alcohol was not a drug and just a part of growing up, that alcohol was easily accessible in the county, and that students in schools where the teachers live in the community and take a direct interest in their lives all directly affected the attitude of our teens. The group also met with the kids to find out what kind of activities they would like, whom they would like to be there, and to gain other insights.

The school principal at the time was also the leadership trainer for the Bi-County Associated Student Body Representatives Training Camp and volunteered considerable amounts of information on games and activities that were fun but had underlying messages of trust, leadership, and friendship. The county alcohol and drug agency donated books and pamphlets on planning substance free parties like Celebrate Smart put out by the National Federation of State High School Associations and the National Association of Broadcasters. They offered information such as how to get started, how to raise support, and how to maximize success among students and adults. The emphasis was on being organized and keeping good records for ongoing efforts.

The group reached the conclusion that a great deal of the problems encountered were caused by a lack of personal adult involvement and healthy alternative activities. In response to that, we formed a group called A4K. The letters represent "Adults For Kids." A4K is a special interest approach to rural substance abuse, rural gangs, crime and violence, and intergenerational problems. The purpose of A4K is to take the stand that drinking, drugs, and malicious mischief are wrong, and to provide positive role models and entertainment alternatives. A4K began hosting positive monthly activities for the high school kids, often meeting immediately after a school sports games, as this was identified a peak party and substance usage time.

A4K called the activities "5th Quarter," since they followed the end of the game. Some of the activities included self-reliance and leadership games, mystery dinners, relay races, pizza with beach ball volleyball, open gym nights, bingo and other games of chance, big screen movie nights, and board game nights. They all featured lots of snacks and soft drinks, loud music, and door prizes awarded at the end of the night that kids had to be present to win. Rules for 5th Quarter were that music had to be previewed, if the kids left they could not come back, and no inappropriate language or actions would be tolerated. Attendance runs about 75 percent of the high school student body with the pressure of presence changing from the party goers to those kids attending 5th Quarter.

Many of the teens found they could have a great time while influencing their errant friends to join them. Some even formed a club, proudly wearing their T-shirts emblazoned with "Straight Is Great." To join the club, the kids had to sign a contract that they were substance free.

Historically, graduation night has been the occasion for a big beer party that everyone in the high school is expected to attend. In an effort to offer yet another alternative, A4K started Grad Nite Parties, beginning right after graduation and running until 2 a.m. The parties have a D.J., contests like the limbo, a movie room, table tennis, volleyball, and basketball. The kids get a multitude of prizes ranging from free fast food coupons and tapes or CDs to stereos, cameras, and a television. The whole night is free except for a car raffle that costs $1 to enter. All the high school and their guests up to age 21 are invited to encourage attendance. Attendance has been running from 85 to 90 percent of the student body.

Originally all parents of high school students were mailed letters and an article was published in the local newspaper to request their attendance at our first meetings. Once the group was formed, letters were sent to all businesses and residents of the community requesting financial and physical support. Including the Grad Nite Party supplies and prizes, which account for about 80 percent of the budget, the group works with about $3,000 a year that comes entirely from donations. Those donations are acquired by personal contact of community members or door-to-door solicitation of businesses. A4K has followed up with thanks and positive publicity for all who support the program.

Once the program was established, A4K met every few months to set up a schedule for the next several months. The fewer the meetings the better, as all the members were volunteers with busy schedules. When games or contests were held, adults were asked to participate as well. Friendships were formed between individuals that resulted in firm bonds when adult support was needed.

As the community program grew, news about the program spread throughout the county. Other communities adopted the A4K name and began to promote substance-free and intergenerational activities. It became evident that there are adults who care about kids; that there are alternatives to negative behavior if you look hard enough; and that the strength of community support is the backbone of rural America. Attitudes have begun changing in our community, and while it is an ongoing struggle complicated by a continued influx of low income families into our communities, we are making progress.

Problems Encountered

By our community's creating A4K, not only did we isolate a problem that the community was having, we also went a long way toward solving it. However, as with any complex issue, further difficulties often present themselves. One of the largest problems we have encountered is generating enough volunteers to work at the events. With our small population (high school enrollment is 55 students, a large percentage of whom are from single parent or low income homes), many of the parents do not have the time or may not wish to give their time providing activities for the kids. Of the other parents, the general consensus is they do not want to be involved so their child will not be inhibited by their presence. Many of these people who do not participate directly will give money or supplies.

A core group of six to eight people does most of the work of A4K. Depending on the activity, sometimes this is enough and sometimes it is not. Grad Nite takes at least a dozen adults because there are so many activities involved and usually over 50 kids are in attendance. One of the best solutions we have found is to get people without high school kids involved. Young marrieds or empty nest adults are ideal because they have more time and energy. The other solution is to communicate well with the nonparticipating parents. If they are notified that an activity will be canceled if there are not enough adults, some people will make an extra effort.

The other major barrier we started with was lack of funds. Our solution to that was good communication, promotion, and one-on-one requests of businesses and community members. Personal mailings to individuals who have or have had kids in our community resulted in enough money to begin the program. Once activities began, we took pictures and had articles printed in the local newspaper letting the public know about the good, clean fun the kids were having. When those same people who were intimidated or frustrated saw that fewer kids were out raising havoc on the streets because of our program, more donations began to come in. Another solution to our lack of funds came when repeat requests for contributions were considered because of the appreciation and promotion we did for contributors. Personal thank you notes were signed by the kids at 5th Quarter activities. Posters at the high school and publicity articles in the paper thanked supporters, individually listing their names. We also asked the kids and their parents to mention to the businesses when they were in shopping or out for dinner that they appreciated their support. Each year our program has been able to grow a little more because of increased donations.

Conclusions

Personal involvement creates a healthier environment. Many adults in our community feel better about our young people because they now know them personally and spend time with them. And the young people feel better, and generally behave better, when they know that people care. We have discovered that community support of projects can determine their success or failure. The same happens with vandalism and substance abuse problems. When the adults joined together to show their support, the kids reacted by forming bonds. When the adults took a stand against negative actions, even if it was just to join ranks to observe misbehavior, the kids felt accountability, because they knew these same people had come out to support them.

Our intergenerational problems have also been improved by these same actions. When kids would not move out of the middle of the street or acknowledge the elderly with a wave when meeting, our senior citizens felt the kids lacked respect. So the next time they met, the senior citizens would not acknowledge them and the kids felt slighted. This continued until the kids felt belligerent and the seniors felt intimidated. Programs that get kids involved working side by side with seniors help them get to know one another, and they get back to treating one another as individuals, not as generations. This results in friendships across the ages and positive community relations. A4K has tried to promote this by getting seniors to help at activities and getting kids to volunteer to help seniors with chores. Again, we can make great strides in the social problems of our era by getting people personally involved, sharing our heritages and experiences, and truly caring what happens to our neighbors.

Recommendations

Rural America is definitely feeling the swell of the increase of gangs, violence, and substance abuse. The solution can be in our own hands if we are willing to work at it. We do not have to have big budgets or paid staff to make a difference. We can help our rural communities continue to produce healthy young Americans who know about values, caring, and giving. It just takes some personal involvement, a little time, and a willingness to show we care enough to act—these are many of the same morals, ethics, and sense of commitment that our ancestors used when settling rural America. The promotion of returning to our roots by increasing community-based support groups and activities could result in turning the tide back to a rural America we all know and love.

References

DASA County Plan. Lincoln County Alcohol & Drug Center. pp. 1-2.

Celebrate Smart. National Federation of State High School Associations and National Association of Broadcasters, 1987. pp. 1-15.

Last Updated 11-7-02