Many young people are abstaining from sex and drugs, and education programs must foster the attitudes and skills needed to support and encourage this behavior. While abstinence must always be stressed, young people also need to learn how to protect themselves from HIV through safer sexual practices. Working with Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgendered and Questioning Youth , a resource packet is available from the National Network for Youth. It provides a variety of information for youth workers, administrators and young people. The packet includes articles, assessments, policy statements, best practices and extensive bibliographies on how to effectively serve these youth.
Single copies are available free on a first come first serve basis.
Sober is a media campaign directed at gay and lesbian youth with a message to stay sober. Studies have found that gay youth are particularly susceptible to alcohol and drug use, and are at higher risk for health and safety problems associated with substance abuse than are heterosexual youth. Ads for the new campaign, Out. The newspaper is chock full of resources including an extensive calendar of workshops and conferences related to professional development, youth issues and working with youth, an exhaustive list of book and video reviews for use with staff and kids, grants listings, analysis of federal and state legislative issues concerning youth and much, much more. We Youth Today is seeking to increase circulation and are seeking regular mailing lists or e-mail lists of people who are concerned about or work with youth.