After living as refugees, some all their lives, young people in the refugee camps on the Thai Burma Border are at risk for addiction to drugs and alcohol. DARE Network's Teens for Kids program keeps teens and kids engaged and educated. Young refugees take pride in learning and sharing the dangers of substance abuse. To help them with recognition by their community they have asked us for Team Shirts that they can wear whenever they are engaged in DARE Teens for Kids activities.
The Burmese Refugee camps in Thailand have existed for 30 years. People living in the camps have lost everything. The pressures of camp living lead to high addiction levels. Young people are particularly at risk because of lack of opportunities, boredom and loss of hope. Many of these children have been born in a refugee camp. The availability of drugs and alcohol is high and cheap.
DARE Network provides programs for kids at risk of addiction through treatment and its Teens for Kids project. The young people who participate have a great influence on other young people, their parents and the leadership of their camps. The 300 Teens need some recognition and have asked us for NEW Team Shirts so they can proudly be identified while they work and play in their communities. These teens share their knowledge with other teens and children through our peer support programs.
By providing alternatives to drugs and alcohol and offering treatment to those in need, the project will improve family health, poverty and relationships. Violence in the community will be reduced. Young people will have a vital role in society.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).