Luke Fincher, President of Rock Solid, a youth team with the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition and a senior at Friday Harbor High School discussed his recent speaking engagement at CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) 32nd National Leadership Forum in Washington, DC. CADCA represents 5,000 coalitions globally involved with anti-drug coalitions, government leaders, youth, addiction treatment professionals, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals, and faith-based leaders. Collaboration is an absolute key in prevention.
Luke was honored to offer a workshop before 80 people from all over the world, "Why do you do what you do?" was asked of the audience, and to turn to their seat mate and ask this question. Luke was overwhelmed with the buzz the question created. What he didn't tell us, he received a standing ovation after his workshop!
Luke has been leading prevention campaigns in our local schools for over 4 years to help promote health and well-being through positive community norms. "I promote health and wellness in my school community by sharing the Healthy Youth Survey data* to correct misperceptions of underage substance abuse among my peers. The fact is most youth do not use. I want to see my classmates reach their full potential." *2018 survey: high school alcohol use has decreased in the past 10 years.
Three years ago, Luke asked Principal Woods to print resources for suicide prevention & Escape the Vape on the back of student ID cards. Rock Solid
also contributed $1,000 prize money from a Red Ribbon contest to purchase an in-house Student ID card machine.
The SJIPC made possible the first Social Host Ordinance in the county, accountability to adults and parents.
Please visit their informative and current website http://www.sjipc.org
Luke is interested in a dual major in Psychology and Environmental Sciences when he starts college in the fall.
He's already established a rock solid legacy!
