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The Thriving Youth Task Force is committed to keeping kids safe from drugs and other risky behaviors. As part of its mission, group members from all sectors of the community meet frequently to develop positive outlets in the lives of Darien children.
"Just saying, 'Don't do drugs' doesn't work," said Martha Rhein, coordinator for the Thriving Youth initiative. Instead, the group finds ways to cultivate 40 developmental assets in children, such as positive family communication, caring neighborhoods, achievement motivation and school engagement. "There's a ton of evidence that shows that these positive assets do correlate with the power to protect kids from drugs and other risky behaviors," she said.
The Thriving Youth Task Force includes members of the Darien Police Youth Division, guidance counselors, psychologists and youth group coordinators as well as Janice Marzano, program coordinator for the Depot teen center.
"It's the whole reason we're here," Marzano said of keeping kids safe from drugs. "We give them something to do, keep them busy." The Depot offers a range of programs and activities, most of which are coordinated by the kids.
She also said that putting a student resource officer in Darien High School would be another good way to keep kids safe. "It will take some time to get used to, but it will provide more of an opportunity for them to ask questions and share if they have problems or concerns," she said of the police position.
An outlet for Darien kids facing problems with drugs is the Kids in Crisis agency, which provides a 24-hour hotline that kids and families can call as well as trained counselors who meet with troubled kids. It also has a shelter program for kids who need a respite and place to stay.
Kristen Tomasiewicz, associate director of Kids in Crisis in charge of community services, said, "We've got to be there for our kids. The community, parents, teachers need to be there to listen to them."
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