How you can help

It's not up to adults and police to do something about youth violence. Adult solutions won't work by themselves. Youth can - and should - do something. If you want to start seeing changes in your school or where you live, here are some things that you should do:

• be aware there is a problem.
• recognize that violence affects everyone - anyone can be a victim.
• talk about violence with your friends and family - take a stand.
• don' t react to violence with more violence.
• get together - find ways to help stop violence in your school or where you live before it happens.
• if there's a youth council, get involved - help promote positive alternatives to youth and gang violence where you live.
• call or write your local media - let them know the positive alternatives to youth and gang violence where you live.
• learn the truth about violence in your community - don't let rumors run your life.
• remember that violent teens are a minority - don't let their actions speak for all youth.