2023 News/Events Highlights
Monday, October 16, 2023
Grayson Fall Festival
COYAD Campaign at Grayson Fall Festival
Volunteers shared and spoke with students and families about COYAD. In addition, there were pumpkin decorating and face painting.
Saturday, November 11, 2023
CYF-Career Talk
This session in CYF we were able to hear from special agent Meadows from the FBI and undercover investigator Tony from Gwinnett Metro Task Force. Participants were able to learn about their roles in our community and what it all entails. They also learned about the realities of drug use, abuse, and distribution in our community.
Saturday, September 9, 2023
ATL CYF- Leadership Training
- Leading Yourself
- K2 Spice/ Bathsalts
During this session, participant learned about SMART goals and laying out a vision. Before leading others, leaders need to be able to have thrown visions and goals. All participants created their own SMART goals to apply in their lives.
The drug awareness lesson was about synthetic drugs. These synthetic drugs mimic the effects of marijuana. Many of these synthetic drugs are sold as herbal essence and potpourri. These can be highly addictive and dangerous
Saturday, October 14, 2023
ATL CYF- Leadership Training
- Leading Yourself Part 2
- Marijuana
During this session, participants learned about effective leadership traits. Many effective leaders are effective communicators, self-motivated, long-term thinkers and etc. Participants evaluated themselves and shared what kind of trait they would like to possess and what they can improve on.
The drug awareness lesson was marijuana. Students shared how they believe society has made them believe that marijuana is not a dangerous drug. Overall, we discussed how dangerous this drug is and how individuals become addicted even when they don't believe that they are.
Saturday, July 8, 2023
ATL CYF -Leadership Training
- Effective Communication
- Drug Awareness: Cocaine
During this session of CYF, participants learned about the importance of body language and how it plays a role on effective communication. Students shared how cultural differences plays a role on what kind of body language is displayed. They also shared how people misinterpret messages due to the different mediums of communication i.e texting, social media, etc.
The drug awareness lesson was focused on cocaine. Cocaine is a stimulant that can make you feel more energy and feel extra alert. Some symptoms of addiction or usage are dilated pupils, nosebleeds, change of sleeping patterns, nausea, and much more. People use cocaine by smoking, injecting, and snorting. Recently, there have been many cases of fentanyl laced cocaine.
Saturday, August 5, 2023
ATL CYF- Leadership Training
- Effective Communication
- Drug Awareness: Inhalants
During this session, participants created a 2 minute speech in front of the audience. In this speech, participants had to remember the important aspects of effective communication. Everyone received anonymous "Glows" and "Grows". These are parts of the speech they did great on and what they could improve on. Everyone loved receiving the meaningful feedback from others.
The drug awareness lesson was about inhalants. Inhalants are household items such as aerosols, paint spray, computer duster, and etc. These are especially dangerous because they can be illegally bought in stores.
Saturday, June 16, 2023
Junior District Attorney and Investigator Mentorship Program
Drug Awareness Education
On Friday, June 16,2023, COYAD held a drug awareness education to 50 students for the Junior District Attorney/Investigator Mentorship Program hosted by the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office.
The program aims to provide students an understanding of the roles and processes of prosecutors, police officers, and the judicial process.
This time, the students visited the COYAD center and received the drug awareness education. Ms. Lydia Lim, educated the students regarding "Addressing Addiction" and explained what addiction is, how it affects families, and the importance of resistance techniques.
COYAD will participate in the graduation ceremony for the Junior Mentorship Program held at the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice Administration Center on June 28.
Saturday, June 10, 2023
COYAD Parents' Seminar
COYAD held a COYAD introduction and drug awareness seminar for parents on June 10th. The seminar was held at the COYAD Atlanta Center from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. COYAD President Paul Lim introduced the mission and vision of COYAD, and Director Grace Kim, explained how students can become COYAD members and participate in volunteer work.
In addition, after the briefing session, an appointment ceremony for COYAD advisory committee members was held. Soon-Hee Lee (current director of the Family Center) was appointed as the advisory Director of the COYAD Education Committee, Hyeon-Joo Bae (current director of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Georgia) as an advisory member of the COYAD Education Committee, and Sook-Hee Ahn (currently a dialysis nurse) was appointed as an advisory member of the COYAD Health Committee.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Drug Awareness Campaign at the
Team Master Level Up Taekwondo Conference
The Southeast Taekwondo Association invited COYAD to conduct drug prevention education at the Southeast Taekwondo Association Leadership Conference for 100 Taekwondo trainees.
COYAD instructor Lydia Lim explained the effect of drug addiction on our brain, what drugs are, cigarettes, vaping (e-cigarettes), and alcohol to the participants.
President Seo Joo-hyun said, “I heard the news that drugs were spreading in schools, and invited COYAD to conduct drug prevention education. I felt serious when I heard from parents and teachers that drug-related problems were occurring in middle school students."
Saturday, May 13, 2023
"SAMHSA National Prevention Week"
Korean Community Drug Prevention Seminar
COYAD hosted a drug prevention seminar to the Korean Community parents and students on Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM.
Gwinnett County Board of Education Karen Watkins, President of the Atlanta Korean Association Lee Hong-ki, and Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson attended the event to emphasize the importance of drug prevention.
Saturday, May 13, 2023
"SAMHSA National Prevention Week"
Drug Prevention Campaign at the
Gwinnett County Multicultural Festival
National Prevention Week is a national public education platform to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health.
COYAD(Council of Youth Anti-Drug) and Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office partnered up to educate and inform our community!
We had a great time at the Gwinnett County Multicultural Festival this past Saturday on May 13, 2023! Thank you to the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office for collaboration during National Prevention Week.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
ATL CYF - Leadership Training
"National Prevention Week Workshop"
COYAD Atlanta CYF was held Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Today's leadership training was a workshop preparing for SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week 2023. Students teamed up and created social media campaign posts on the topics :
- Drug Facts and Signs of Drug Abuse
- Alcohol and Underage Drinking
- Prescription Pain Medication
- Understanding Anxiety Disorder
- Importance of Drug Prevention
In addition, Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson visited and encouraged our students.
Friday, March 31, 2023
Lilburn Middle School - National Day of Action of Take Down Tobacco
Friday, March 31st, was the National Day of Action of Take Down Tobacco.
Lilburn Middle students signed a pledge on eCLASS page and the COYAD Club (Council of Youth Anti-Drug) members wrote the students' names on the pledge poster on the atrium and also created posters that were displayed throughout the school.
With the $1,000 Georgia PTA grant, PTSA was able to provide the yellow Tampico drinks during lunch time on Thursday (3/30) for ALL grade level students #TampicoNotTobacco.
Our gratitude to the ESOL teacher Mrs. Lydia Lim’s and leader of Youth Council Against Drugs (COYAD) for helping us organizing this campaign along with her students.
COYAD is a national nonprofit that provides drug prevention education and leadership training.
For more information: https://www.coyad.org/
#MustangsAgainstTobacco
#TampicoNotTobacco
#TakeDownTobacco
Georgia PTA
District 12 Georgia PTA
Gwinnett County Council of PTAs - Area 1
Saturday, March 25, 2023
ATL CYF - Career Talk by Dr. Adelia Kim
"The Right Career Path"
Atlanta CYF (COYAD Youth Forum) was held Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Our special guest speaker was Dr. Adelia Kim, currently the Spanish Teacher at Arabia Mountain High School. She spoke about "The Right Career Path." The three findings she shared was 1. Finding your identity 2. Finding your talents and 3. Finding your purpose in life.
COYAD Career Talk is a 12-week series program that invites professionals and specialists from the local community every month to provide youth with information on various careers and provide opportunities to hear expert advice on related occupations.
Saturday, February 25, 2023
"Safety and Drug Awareness Education"
Gwinnett County Police Department
COYAD Atlanta CYF was held Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Our special guest speaker was police officer Christian Matos from Gwinnett County police department speaking about "safety and drug awareness". He provided information on commonly used drugs in the community, explained the different types of drugs and the impact each drug can have on a user's life. In addition, various life safety education was conducted, such as how to safely report when students encounter drug-related incidents at school.
Friday, February 17, 2023
COYAD at the UDAC (Urban District Attorney Coalition)
COYAD was invited at the UDAC (Urban District Attorney Coalition), which it consists of 50 District Attorneys in the metro Atlanta area. The purpose and focus of this group is to inform and unite the DAs together in hopes of resolving common issues in respective communities and bringing solutions. Thanks to Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson, COYAD was able to speak about how drug prevention education is the first step in resolving the drug crisis in our communities.
Friday, February 7, 2023
COYAD at the Rotary Club of Gwinnett Mosaic
COYAD was invited at the Rotary Club of Gwinnett Mosaic. During the presentation, we informed the members the current reality of drug use and abuse of our youth in our community. We shared how COYAD is using the 3C: Camp, Campaign, and Center to work towards drug prevention for all.
Saturday, January 28, 2023
ABBA (American Black Belt Academy)
Drug Awareness Campaign
COYAD hosted a drug awareness campaign with the American Black Belt Academy (ABBA) to inform the dangers of drugs and provide resistance skills to our youth. The campaign was held at American Black Belt Academy (303 Kelly Dr #10, Peachtree City, GA 30269) on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Ms. Lydia Lim presented specifically about the dangers of vaping. In addition, Peachtree City Mayor, Kim Learnard visited and supported the campaign.
Saturday, January 28, 2023
ATL CYF - Leadership Training
COYAD started the 1st Leadership Training for 2023 this Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM at the COYAD Atlanta Center.
This session was led by Shelly Mao, Northview High School student and COYAD Shield Club co-president. Shelly presented what are drugs, how it affects our brains and leadership strategies for leaders to promote drug education and awareness.
COYAD Youth Forum is held every once a month.
Anyone who is interested in participating can register via the link below.
