The Struggle Between the Youth and Drugs

 

        On a small patch of land in Australia lies a community of the indigenous aboriginal people. Diane is a former resident of "the block" in Redfern, Australia. She was an on-and-off resident for over 30 years, moving to the block when she was 11 years old. "In the 70's and the 80's there was a lot of laughter, a lot of music in the streets" recalls Diane as she reflects, "there was a lot of sharing, sharing of each other problems and helping each other".  According to the article "Redfern" by Creative Spirits, "Once it was a haven and  a modern sacred site for Aboriginal families. But after decades of being ravaged by poverty and low employment, discrimination, drink, drugs,...and negative social media coverage, it has turned into a kind of hell for some residents". This type of hell started for Diane when her own daughter had a tiresome battle with drug abuse. Diane's daughter was first introduced to heroin at the age of 12. It is important, if not necessary for the youth to be involved in extracurricular activities instead of turning to substances. For example, Crystel Carrier-Souberin,  a member of the council  on drug abuse, states "Youth engagement plays an important role in preventing substance abuse among youth. Youth engagement is defined as the sustained and meaningful involvement of youth in an activity focusing outside of him or herself. Positive outcomes of engagement include a decrease in the rate of substance abuse, a decrease in the rate of crime, an increase in academic performance and a more meaningful connection with a youth's community." An example of a youth engagement that keeps youth across the world on the right path is cheer leading. Diane's daughter was never provided with the opportunity to be apart of a youth engagement such as cheer leading, which could have saved her from going down the path of drugs. Diane and her daughter are no longer living on the block but the bad as well as the good memories of the block will stay with them forever.
http://www.sbs.com.au/theblock/#
http://www.creativespirits.info/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/redfern
http://www.drugabuse.ca/how-does-youth-engagement-prevent-our-youth-abusing-drugs-0

  A reoccurring question that I have been asked is "Why do you commit all your time and efforts to being a cheerleader if your not considered an athlete?". This question has been raised in the minds of many people, and I am here to answer it. Cheerleaders are one of, if not the most toughest athletes that I can think of. It takes agility, flexibility, determination, persistence, and amazing strength to be a cheerleader. If that's not an athlete I don't know what is. Most people think that cheer could never be a sport because they think cheerleader are "glorified sex objects, that are there to smile, look, pretty, and entertain the men". I can't name one football player, basketball player, or any player for that matter that can completely shred their ACL and continue playing. Anyone can throw a ball into a hole or run with a ball in their hand but can those same people throw 150-200 pound object (person) into the air and catch it without dropping it. I think not. An article that I recently read touches on this subject. Read it and tell me what you think.

The link to the article is:http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=drehs/040316 

 This is a picture from my first cheer competition. I was so nervous at first but I was satisfied at the end.