It’s not easy for a young person to avoid drugs and alcohol, especially in college.
Jake White, now a motivational speaker, found most social gatherings at college were house parties where students drank alcohol and used drugs.
So, he started hosting his own house parties, sans drugs and alcohol. His parties became so popular, they attracted sponsorships from national corporations. He took his sober parties to other colleges, wrote blogs about it and soon started a career as a motivational speaker.
He’ll bring his message to Allen County high school students on Wednesday in an event sponsored by Thrive Allen County and the Southeast Kansas Substance Abuse Coalition.
Humboldt and Moran students will attend in the morning, followed by Iola eighth graders and high schoolers in the afternoon. He’s tentatively scheduled to work with some students the next day at a youth leadership workshop.
WHITE grew up in Wisconsin and lost his uncle to addiction. That’s when he decided he wasn’t going to drink or use drugs — ever.
It wasn’t a problem until college, when it seemed partying was simply a fact of life.
“I had to figure out a way to have fun and feel good without using drugs or alcohol,” he said.
His first sober party took place in 2012. By 2017, he launched a business, Party.0, as a way to engage and educate students about choices regarding drugs and alcohol. That also led to Vive18, a peer-led prevention program for teens.
White is now based in Phoenix, Ariz., and travels across the country for speaking engagements. His presentation includes playing the drums and bringing students on stage for fun activities.
“Students need to know there are people out there who want to make good decisions. Not everybody is drinking, smoking and using drugs,” he said.
He also talks about mental health.
Students who have mental health concerns may turn to marijuana as a way to alleviate some of the symptoms. That’s dangerous, White said, because studies have shown marijuana use can result in an earlier onset of psychosis, including depression, social anxiety, mood disorders and suicide.
“If you are using these drugs, the things you think may be happening to your mental health are actually doing the opposite,” he said.
WHITE wants to give students a different perspective when it comes to using drugs and alcohol.
“I highlight that they have choices. They can take shortcuts that are quick and easy. Society primes us to make those quick and easy choices. You can order something and have it delivered. You can microwave your food. You can pull out your phone and find out just about anything,” he said.
“But when it comes to drugs and alcohol, taking that short cut could cut your life short.”
