The overwhelming problems
resulting from tobacco, alcohol, other drug abuse, youth violence and gangs in
our country are staggering. In the inner-city schools and in many suburbs, the
drug and gang-related peer pressure is at an all time high. It is evident that
there is very little family structure, little or no guidance and direction for
the youngsters, and often no positive role models, even at the schools. Our
youth are conditioned for failure, feel there is no future for them and have
often lost all sense of hope. Their sense of value for life itself is often
non-existent.
MAAD's
primary target population is inner-city youngsters, but the program is currently
also meeting the needs of students in various environments. The program
generally begins on the elementary and/or sixth grade level. Currently, the
participants in the program include Hispanics, African Americans, Asians, and
Caucasians.