he youth implementation model of Protecting You/Protecting Me® (PY/PM®) involves delivery of the PY/PM curriculum by trained high school students enrolled in a peer helping course for credit.  Peer helpers delivering this Model Program must commit to remaining alcohol, tobacco and drug free.

Protecting You/Protecting Me is an innovative five-year, classroom-based alcohol use prevention curriculum for elementary students in grades one through five. click here for program overview.

The youth-led PY/PM model has been designed for teenagers who want an opportunity for leadership development and a way to make a valuable contribution to their community.  Project activities provide an opportunity for teens who want a fun, yet effective, way to become actively involved in and to make an impact on preventing underage drinking in their community.

In addition to delivering PY/PM to the elementary students, the high school students deliver presentations about the impact of alcohol on the developing brain to other teens and adults in the community. They can help parents, youth, and community members/ leaders learn about the dangers of underage use of alcohol. Youth can motivate the community to devote appropriate local resources to ensure that underage use of alcohol is prevented in their community. Teens listen to youth and adults listen to youth. Any activity to reduce alcohol use in a community should involve teens. They can be a part of the solution.  Additionally:

• Teens can have a positive impact on children’s and peers’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (Meyer, et al. 2004).
• As leaders, teens learn to be organized and become actively involved in and responsible for positive change in their communities (Hoover, A.B., & Weisenbach, A., 1999).
• From their experiences as teachers, many teens begin to “listen to their own advice” and make more responsible choices (Marczak & Peterson, 1999).