Carol Kost, chairwoman of the Advisory Commission on Youth, said the teenagers are asking for a lot of intangibles and a few tangibles to satisfy their needs. When it comes to alcohol and other drugs, they want:
* A sense of community.
* Meaningful interaction with adults.
* More structure in their lives, administered with love and caring.
* Additional education about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
* Someone to teach parents what to do if they suspect their child is doing drugs.
* Teachers to provide help instead of punishment if they suspect a student is high.
* Family activities.
* Motivational speakers.
* A buddy system.
* Older youth serving as role models for younger teens.
* School support groups.
When it comes to bullying:
* Enhanced peer mediation and conflict resolution.
* Increased education for everyone.
* Avenues for empowerment so students wonÕt feel the need to bully.
* Safe reporting mechanisms.
* Supervised after-school activities.
* Recognition of each teen's inherit worth.
When it comes to transportation:
* Public school transportation to events sanctioned by the schools.
* Publication of the countywide transit bus schedule and routes.
* Have developers and supervisors take youth transportation needs into account when new homes are built.
* Provisional driverÕs licenses for teenagers to drive to work and activities during designated hours, such as 6 to 10 p.m.
* Businesses to buy passenger buses.
When it comes to community change:
* Teen Centers, with room for Battle of the Bands, a coffee shop, radio stations, dances and other amenities.
* Welcoming committees, particularly to deal with changing school boundaries.
* Loudoun County Days, with fairs and festivals.
* School competitions.
* Online calendar events.
When it comes to leisure activities:
* Teen Centers open after school, Friday nights, Saturday afternoon and evenings and Sunday afternoons. They want to keep middle- and high-school students separate and the availability of child care. They would pay a nominal fee for the teen center use.
* Field trips.
* More school-based activities that do not cost anything.
* Community and business support.
* Concerts and other nontraditional activities.
* Skateboard facility.
* The opportunity to Òhang out.Ó