BYDC Teens Take Stand Against Drugs, Alcohol

April 20 is known to many across the country as 4-20, and a day to smoke marijuana.

But not in Idaho Falls. Instead, teens in the Bonneville Youth Development Council took a stand against drugs. It was the first “taking a stand” event for the BYDC. They hope to make it an annual event.

From the fun and flashy to the more serious, teens tackled the issue of drug and alcohol abuse head on.

“I hope it gives teens a positive reason to choose not too,” said Kylee Bennett, 16.

Bennett made that decision long before the BYDC took its stand. She said she’s felt the consequences firsthand.

“My whole family has crumbled because of it,” said Bennett.

Bennett wasn’t alone. Teen after teen shared emotional stories about how they’ve hurt themselves after watching loved ones deal with substance abuse.

“Why ruin your childrens’ lives?” asked one teen, during the open-mic period.

“Nobody’s immune,” said BYDC coordinator Alisha Passey.

The community coalition of 50 to 75 teens regularly discusses things like underage drinking, suicide and drugs. Now, they’re also fighting efforts to put an initiative on the November ballot that would let voters choose whether or not to legalize marijuana.

“I don’t want Idaho to (turn into a) dump,” said Bennett. “I don’t want more families ruined than already are.”

So Bennett and her peers are pleading with Idahoans who are more than 18 years old.

“We, as teens, can’t vote on the November ballot against (the legalization of marijuana) and it’s really important to us, that as adults, you get aware and do it,” said Bennett. “Vote for us against it because every vote counts and we can’t, so you have to be our voice.”

And that voice, is loud and clear.