Chloe Mealey, a member of the Teen Advisory Council of Knox County, has been named a recipient of the Youth Advocate Award for 2019 from the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio (ADAPAO). The ADAPAO youthprevention awards honor excellence in and commitment to prevention in Ohio among young people. Members of ADAPAO nominate youth for the award who are engaged in prevention in their communities and around the state.
Teen Advisory Council (TAC) is a youth-led prevention group, representing all Knox County schools, grades 9-12. It is a joint program of the Knox Substance Abuse Action Team (KSAAT) and New Directions Delta project. A junior at Fredericktown High School, Chloe has made quite an impact in her first full year with TAC, said Tina Cockrell, KSAAT program coordinator and co-advisor for TAC. Chloe volunteers for Drug Take Back Days, serves on the planning committee for the TAC Color Run, led a table topic at Youth Leadership Day and traveled to Texas to learn about the Strategic Prevention Framework. “Chloe exemplifies her role as a prevention advocate and role model to her peers,” said Cockrell. “Her dedication to TAC’s mission and her drive to create healthier lifestyles among her peers exemplifies her advocacy efforts.” TAC members actively work to end dating and sexual violence among teens, as well as prevention of alcohol, tobacco and substance use. TAC members receive leadership training, gain knowledge of critical issues impacting teens, learn about the Knox County community, and have the opportunity to participate in professional development and advocacy events. ADAPAO is a membership-based, not-for-profit association that serves as the voice of prevention in Ohio, with a specific focus on preventing alcohol, tobacco, other drug abuse and other behavioral health problems. For more information, visit www.adapao.org. For more information on TAC, visit ksaat.org/teen-advisory-council.