Como Gente Grande (Like Grown-Ups)
San Juan, PR, 1998
WRTU, in partnership with the Center for Rehabilitation through the Arts (C.A.R.E.), geared its project toward preventing the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by children and adolescents. The project featured a radio series of 13 one-hour programs, called Como Gente Grande, and a community outreach event called "Punto de Encuentro" (Point of Encounter), held in April, 1999, at the aptly named Pabellon de la Paz (Peace Pavilion) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Children and adolescents produced and hosted programs showing prevention approaches targeting youngsters and their parents, relatives, and the community at large. A mix of talk and music, the programs let children and adolescents communicate their points of view on how to win the fight against substance abuse. Each program in the series consists of four sections.
- Creative Pause starts the program by highlighting achievements of children and adolescents in the community.
- Hanging Around interviews performing groups and outstanding community leaders.
- On the Point deals with information, and welcomes guests to discuss the current program's theme.
- Point per Point features testimonials from current and past substance abusers, as well as other guests with experience in related fields.
Topics included sudden violent death of teens and its impact on peers; youth suicide; family communication problems; "Rock, Merengue, Salsa, Rap-Dancing to the Right Tune"; the structure and organization of drug dealing sites; the effects of violence; youth and spirituality; early parenthood; "school" according to children and adolescents; and media's impact on youth.
The project's closing event-"Punto de Encuentro"-provided a Drug and Alcohol Free Zone, with entertainment and educational activities that complement the series message of prevention. Music performers, health service providers, schools, community-based groups, law enforcement agencies, and exhibitors from public and private entities joined forces to confront society's current main worry: substance abuse, its consequent crime-related activities, and its health hazards.
The Puerto Rican Alliance Against Drug Abuse and the Coalition to Reduce Alcohol Abuse by Minors became additional partners to this endeavor, thus assuring an increase in both encouragement and involvement of several community sectors.
Contact Information
Como Gente Grande (Like Grown-Ups)
Luis Luna, Development Director
Tel: 787-764-0000 x5728
Centro de Artes Rehabilitadoras, Inc.
Jacqueline O'Neill, % Dr. Dinorha Marzan
Tel: 787-268-5897