There are so many situations that we experience on a daily basis. The regular life issues that keep it interesting–and challenging. For all of the random stuff that a teen goes through, we have it covered. Maybe this will help make life just a little bit easier…
Life Happens
Jordyn Schara's Exclusive Drug Disposal Interview
Date: 6 Mar 2010
Interview by Kristin Larmore, Web Editor
Check out Jordyn Schara’s interview below! Not familiar with Jordyn’s story? Click here!
Relate: When did you first become passionate about this situation and this project and how did it come to light for you? Did something happen to help you see the effects of it?
Jordyn: I started off as kind of wanting to do a project and I definitely wanted to do one about the environment as so I started researching the different problems we were having. I found out about the problem of people disposing of their medicine down the toilet and it was something I had never heard of before and it had never been brought up in any of my classes. Basically, I thought it was something I should touch on because it’s a serious problem. Once I started reading more into it, I realized how serious of a problem it was and I better definitely address it and so I started a project on it [for a personal thing].
Relate: If you had an opinion, why is this drug issue maybe not being brought to light? Why would you say these organizations didn’t help address this problem with you at the beginning?
J: I think it was just an issue where it didnt seem like something that seriously needed to be addressed in this day and age. I don’t think anybody really understood the seriousness of this problem. Once I started researching this more, it was very serious. Even when I was trying to get help from government officials and getting grants and everything, everyone just told me “no” you’re only 14, you can’t do this. No, don’t even try.” And everyone was just telling me ”No, no, no I can’t” and so finally once I started getting grants and getting money and making this project happen, it was kind of a newsflash for everybody that even though I am just a freshman in high school, I can do things in my community.
R: What would you say to teens who are reluctant to stand up and say something thinking, “I’m too young. No one is going to respect me?”
J: It’s something that you hear a lot, especially now when people are really thinking that teenagers are starting to actually get a voice and make a difference. It’s very small so far, but I think within the next few years it’s going to get bigger.
R: What would you say to someone who says being “eco-friendly is too inconvenient and it takes too much time?”
J: I think they’re just looking at it all wrong. I wouldn’t say it’s an inconvenience; you just need to get out of the way that you’re doing things. Just because you’ve been doing it like that a long time before, doesn’t mean it’s the right way. There’s very little things that you can do and it changes the impact you have on your environment. It’s just to me a little bit of everything, then you’re actually making a huge bit of difference.
R: It sounds like you have been doing a lot of research on this. What is the level of harm from these drugs?
J: It’s causing a lot of problems. And not only is it causing problems in the environment; it’s causing the feminisation of fish, lots of different mutations, but it is causing huge problems in people. When you have birth control in water and there’s children and men drinking it, it’s going to cause some huge problems. It’s causing heart problems. It is showing signs of feminisation in men!
R: Your town was the first dropoff location created for these drugs. What should communities and citizens be doing to keep people informed and keep these problems from occuring?
J: I would definitely say start one of these projects. Now that I have started in my town, I am making a format on how to make it and it’s really simple once you get down to it. It’s really easy and the benefits are huge. It makes your town such a better place and the way it helps the environment is just fantastic. If you’ve ever started a project before, it’s hard but the benefits definitely outweigh the hard parts. Even just partnering with another community and getting more in the county. It’s a great thing. It’s definitely helpful.
R: Have you personally experienced teens in your community and near you abusing these drugs?
J: Oh yeah, you hear about it all the time. I live in a small town and you still hear about it in the hallway; [someone] talking about a party on Saturday and this happened and that happened. It’s definitely a big thing. A lot of adults don’t realize it because they are still on the marajuana and all the well-known drugs. The problem is a little bit more close to home when the drugs are more easy access. You definitely hear about it.
R: What is your response to these people as a freshman and a new person in high school?
J: Well, it’s not worth it. A lot of people my age don’t understand the dangers of what they’re taking. There are huge dangers with it; you can’t just take something and think just because Aunt Martha took it to help her arthritis, it’s going to work just fine for you. A teen just died in our area from prescription drug abuse, so it’s a big thing.
R: What would you say leadership means to you, as you have taken on this role as a leader in your community?
J: I think leadership is a big thing. If you’re always following in someone else’s path, then you’re really never going to stand out. These problems that are in your community aren’t always being addressed and someone needs to stand up and address them, so why not you? I feel it’s my responsbility as a member of the community and a citizen of the world that I need to stand up and address these problems that are being presented.
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