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MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – Enrollment opens on Tuesday, April 1, for the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority’s (ABC) Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project (YADAPP).
YADAPP is a unique peer leadership opportunity fostering healthy communities and the prevention of substance use. The annual program begins with a kick-off conference which will be held July 14-18 at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. Participation requires the registration of a team of four high school students (including rising ninth graders) and one adult sponsor.
During the conference, students attend topical workshops facilitated by peer leaders, hear from well-known motivational speakers and learn leadership and prevention best practices to develop a Strategies To Act Now (STAN) Plan addressing substance use among their peers. Teams compete for $250 mini grants to use as seed money and returning teams compete for the $500 Wheeler Award to sustain their continued prevention efforts.
“Peer-led substance use prevention is a proven effective path for empowering young leaders to take a stand to create positive change and promote the culture of healthy behaviors among youth in the commonwealth,” said Virginia ABC Youth Education and Prevention Coordinator Wyatt Anderson. “Given some of the troubling influences and viral pressures on youth in recent years, YADAPP offers timely tools specifically created to help students make smart choices and use their natural strengths to make a difference.”
Early enrollment opens April 1 and offers a discounted enrollment rate of $500 per team through April 30. The price will increase to $600 per team until the June 1 enrollment deadline. The fee includes conference materials, lodging and meals, as well as year-long coaching and support for adult sponsors as they aid their team in implementing its STAN Plan throughout the school year.
Adult sponsors participate in a separate track throughout the conference and receive resources and training on topics that will help them support their team. Adult sponsors are eligible for continuing education units and professional development hours. Law enforcement officers are eligible for partial in-service credits through the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
Since its inception in 1984, YADAPP has impacted approximately 450 different high schools and community organizations and more than 12,000 students. For more information and to enroll, visit the YADAPP website, https://www.yadapp.com/.
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The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the Commonwealth, contributing more than $3.0 billion to the general fund in the last five years. Virginia ABC currently operates more than 400 state stores and provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees ABC licensed establishments across the Commonwealth. Now marking its 91st year, ABC remains committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its vision of bringing good spirits and excellent service to Virginia.
