Local youth coalition returns from D.C. forum and urges education on energy‑drink risks in teens

Students from the Kane Community Youth Coalition (KCYC) presented to the commission May 12 about their recent CADCA National Leadership Forum trip to Washington, D.C., and the community projects they are running at home.

KCYC members said the trip exposed them to prevention science, mental health awareness and public‑policy advocacy, and several students described how they met elected officials and built leadership skills. They credited the county and program sponsors for enabling the opportunity.

One topic the students highlighted was a local rise in teen energy‑drink consumption. KCYC members proposed a campaign called "Feel Better, Feel Better" to educate teens about short‑term and long‑term health effects (sleep disruption, anxiety, impaired athletic recovery) and to provide alternative strategies for energy and stress management.

Commissioners thanked the students for their presentations and asked staff and schools to consider how the coalition’s prevention data and proposals could support local outreach. KCYC said they plan events including a mental‑health awareness walk and ongoing prevention activities for families and youth in the community.