Youth With Vision

For an entry fee of $10 per player, teams of 6-9 male and/or female players.

All Mud Mania proceeds benefit Youth With Vision, a leadership organization focused on the prevention of teen alcohol and drug abuse.

For more information please contact Ryan McElhaney
YWV Adult Sponsor (816) 877-0496 or youthwithvisionkc.org.

[Download Event Flyer]

Alcoholic Energy Drinks Talking Points

Marketing towards Youth
Making it a cheaper alternative                                                                 
            - Alcoholic energy drinks cost 25% less than non alcoholic energy drinks.
            - Premixed energy drinks are a cheaper alternative to buying both types of beverages.
            - Youth are very sensitive to price and will buy the cheaper option.

Focusing Marketing towards certain groups
            - Focusing on gamers, young party groups, hip hop and sports players.
            - Names that appeal to youth like Monster, Amp, RockStar and Full Throttle.

Youth are the main consumer of energy drinks
- 31% of 12-17 year olds and 34% of 18-24 year olds report regular consumption of energy drinks.

Growing Market
Energy Drinks

• Since 2002, when total retail sales were just $1.2 billion, the market for energy drinks has increased nearly 440 percent overall to an estimated $6.6 billion in 2007.
• Energy drinks are growing at an annual rate of 12 percent and surpassing $9 billion by 2011.

Alcoholic Energy Drinks

• The market for caffeinated alcoholic drinks is about 1 percent of the total beer industry, making its annual sales about $1 billion.
• Miller Brewing Company and Anheuser-Busch, the two largest U.S. brewers, are the leading producers of this new alcoholic beverage category

Health Risks

• Caffeine, a stimulant, masks the intoxicating effects of alcohol, which may lead to increased risk-taking which results in traffic accidents, violence, sexual assault, and suicide.
• Among the most common negative effects are increased anxiety, panic attacks, increased blood pressure, increased gastric acid, bowel irritability, and insomnia.
• American Society of Addiction Medicine, caffeine is considered an addictive drug.
• One three-year study by a Chicago poison center found more than 250 cases of caffeine overdose, with 12 percent of those requiring hospitalization and causing diabetics seizures.

Despite these health concerns, the primary focus of most research literature on caffeine and energy drinks is whether the beverages enhance performance. Largely ignored are the health repercussions of sustained consumption of high levels of caffeine and the impact of combining energy drinks with alcohol.

Actions Needed to be Taken by the State Government

1.) Legislatures should ban or limit the availability of alcoholic energy drinks to retail outlets for distilled spirits and impose a tax surcharge with revenues used to fund youth prevention and treatment programs.
2.) State Alcoholic Beverage Control agencies with jurisdiction should investigate whether alcoholic energy drinks are appropriately classified as malt beverages instead of distilled spirits under applicable state laws.
3.) State attorneys general should initiate investigations of the marketing and advertising practices associated with alcoholic energy drinks ensuring misleading and deceptive advertising laws are enforced.
4.) State health agencies should address alcohol problems and assess the impact of alcoholic energy drinks on underage drinking problems in their states and should develop prevention and treatment programs.

Download Alcoholic Energy Drinks Talking Points.

2010 Legislative Priorities

• Ban of Alcohol in the Capitol – and on Capitol grounds – (Sponsored last year by Rep. Trent Skaggs).  It has been filed for the last 14 years. 

• Other state buildings (employees) are not allowed alcohol – there are no other known states that allow alcohol in their capitol unless for “special occasions.”

• Elected officials should act as role models (and students visit the capitol daily)

• Banning anyone under 21 from Bars and Nightclubs (Sponsored last year by Rep. Ryan Silvey).

• The Surgeon General has identified this issue as a primary contributor to underage drinking access.

• Once minors are allowed in these establishments it is relatively easy to gain access of alcohol (through those 21 and over).

• Special Fund for Reduction of Alcohol-Related Problems and 

Underage Drinking – (Sponsored last year by Rep. Bill Deeken) This bill would create a special fund, to be used solely for alcohol-related prevention, enforcement, treatment and recovery services which are seriously under-funded in Missouri.  Vision members are also working with Missouri’s Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA) to look for a sponsor to increase the alcohol excise tax.

• The excise tax collections on beer, wine and spirits, currently collected from the manufacturer/solicitor bringing the alcohol into the state, would be earmarked for this new fund. 

• This change would make available over $29.5 million much needed dollars each year, to be used for these services.

            There is currently a movement in Missouri to increase the alcohol tax:

• Last time taxes on alcohol beverages were adjusted in MO was 1970.

• Missouri is 49th in our state for beer taxes (6 cents per gal. – national avg. is 26 cents).

• Binge drinking is significantly higher in states having lower than national median tax rates.

• Annual alcohol related health care costs in MO exceed $794,000,000.00 – annual alcohol taxes collect in MO are about $30,000,000.

• If MO were to adopt the proposed tax rate increase, a total of $128,850,000 would be generated

•  Banning sales of alcohol energy drinks – New issue with national interest and an initiative to pass statewide (across our country) being developed through Marin Institute. Does not currently have a commitment from a legislator.

Download YWV 2010 Legislative Priorities.

NORTHLAND TEEN INSTITUTE
 LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

“Take a Step in the Right Direction”

WHO SHOULD APPLY?????

Teens Who:

If you are interested contact Ryan McElhaney at 816-877-0496 or ryanm@tri-countymhs.org

Download Bunco Mania Registration Form

Youth With Vision (YWV) members from across the Northland attended the group's first-ever Root Beer Summit held Aug. 29.  The Summit was held to inform the community about the health, legal and safety consequences related to underage drinking. In addition, the group introduced attendees to some of the related legislation the youth are working to get passed, such as the banning of alcohol in the Missouri State Capitol. Gathering for a photo at the summit are YWV members and high school students (foreground) Allie Mayes (left), Smithville and Chelsi Welsh, Excelsior Springs. (Background) Lindsey Long (left), Liberty and Joey Gorham, Hardin Central.

Tri-County Mental Health Services is a sponsor and supporter of YWV, which is composed of teens from Clay, Platte or Ray counties who are selected through an application process.

For further information about their upcoming programs or membership, contact adult teen coordinator Ryan McElhaney at (816) 877-0496 or ryanm@tri-countymhs.org.

Mudd Mania 2009

Mud Mania 2009 was held at Smithville Lake Kelsey Short Area 4 on Saturday, June 27th. 50 teams came out to play and raise money for Youth With Vision.

Thank you to all who participated and helped out! It was such a success this year, and we couldn’t have done it without you!

View more pictures on our Youth with Vision Facebook page.

YOUTH WITH VISION is a student-led youth organization made up of high school leaders from the Northland Kansas City area (Clay, Platte and Ray Counties)

Members are committed to fighting the devastating effects of alcohol and drug abuse in their schools and communities.

Mission: Youth With Vision strives to create drug free communities for future generations by putting education into action!

What can Youth With Vision offer ME!?

1. Volunteer Hours
2. Travel Opportunities
3. Leadership Opportunities
4. Creative Thinking and Projects
5. National Recognition
6. Scholarship Advantages
7. Substance Abuse Prevention education and training
8. Community Recognition
9. Speaking and Education Opportunities

What can I offer Youth With Vision?

1. Your time
2. Your passion and commitment for a substance abuse free life style
3. Your Voice
4. Your creativity
5. Your Leadership
6. Your Knowledge
7. YOU!!

Contact Ryan McElhaney 816-877-0496 or ryanm@tri-countymhs.org if you are interested or visit our website at www.youthwithvisionkc.org

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Youth With Vision members travel to Jefferson City, MO. to “Speak Hard” with legislators.

Several Youth With Vision (YWV) members attended the “Speak Hard” 2007 Rally in Jefferson City on April 3, 2007.  Young adults from across the State had the opportunity to network and share their ideas for reducing underage drinking and tobacco use in their communities.  The students also attended workshops presented by experts in advocacy, media literacy and legislative communications with a goal of providing the youth tools and information they can use to address their own community’s issues and concerns.

Stopping for a photograph during the visit are:  (First row, left to right):
Representative Jerry Nolte with YWV members Taylor Mayes and Brad Fisher (Both, Smithville), Christina Moore (Liberty) and Matt Cates (Excelsior Springs.)

Second row, left to right:  Sydney Mayes (Smithville).Third row, l to r:
Mallory Hamilton (Liberty) Shelby Yates and Paige Yates (Both, Smithville) and Jeff Thomas (Excelsior Springs)

Back row:  Tessa Graybill (Smithville), Kelsey Wiggins (Oak Park High, KC, North), Courtney Mayes (Smithville) ­Rebecca Broadbant and Meredith Brunkow (Both, Kearney).

Youth with Vision Photo Gallery

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