Operation Snowball is an international alcohol, tobacco and other drug-use prevention program focusing on leadership development to empower youth to lead drug-free lives. The name originates from the idea that having a positive impact on an individual can "snowball" into positive results for an entire community and beyond.
Motivation
Funded in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, and governed by an elected board of directors, Operation Snowball is founded on the belief that youth and adults can make responsible and healthy life decisions when provided with factual information and an opportunity to develop self-motivation and responsibility. The program provides opportunities for youths and adults to work together cooperatively to plan, implement and evaluate a community-based alcohol and drug prevention program.
Purpose
Operation Snowball, Inc. believes that the use of alcohol and other drugs during the teen years can be devastating to physical, social and emotional growth. Through the Operation Snowball program, youth learn that it is okay to say no to alcohol and drugs. Students also learn that they are not alone in their decision to stay drug and alcohol free. Operation Snowball strives to create an environment that actively supports the decision to abstain from alcohol and drug use. Operation Snowball also believes that the most effective and comprehensive prevention programs must be undertaken by children and adults in partnership with one another. Operation Snowball also focuses on aiding teens with issues that may arise in their relationships with friends or family. Snowball offers a support system that teaches teens coping skills to help them resolve interpersonal problems.
Comprehensive prevention program
Operation Snowball is a comprehensive program that:
Includes alcohol and other drug information, responsible decision making skills, opportunities to enhance self-esteem, refusal skills, positive peer support, drug-free alternatives, leadership development, and much more
Gives a clear message to youth and adults that it is OK to say no to alcohol and other drugs and how to do this
Is flexible and can be adapted to any community or school setting. The model fosters youth and adult partnerships that make it ideal for community involvement and builds “A Community of Caring”.
Puts to use the powerful energy and influence of youth to create an atmosphere of positive peer support that makes it easier not to use alcohol and other drugs
Is unique because it recognizes youth as a part of the solution not the cause of the problem, thereby allowing them to learn and practice responsibility and leadership and be agents of community change
Operation Snowball is a prevention program and does not provide individual or group treatment.
Program models
Operation Snowball has two types of chapters - school-based and community-based. Operation Snowball includes the following program models:
Operation Snowflurry, Preschool and elementary age youth
Each program model focuses on the issues resulting from alcohol and other drug use and abuse in a manner appropriate for each age group. The concept of cross-age teaching and peer helping is an integral part of the Operation Snowball program. The programs follow the same principles and guidelines that may include the following:
Weekly meetings
Weekend retreats
Drug-free alternative activities
Opportunities to be a peer role model and to experience working with adults in a cooperative manor and atmosphere
Opportunities to develop special events that fit the needs of your community
Opportunities to get involved with other programs and events in your community
Through the development of leadership skills, Operation Snowball shall be a youth and adult partnership, providing awareness and prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, while encouraging healthy decision-making in an active community of caring."
Operation Snowball started in 1977 in Rockford youth and adults who attended the Illinois Teenage Institute on Substance Abuse sponsored by the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association. It was created with the theory when a person affects another in a positive way, they would go on to positively affect someone else, creating a "snowball" effect. In 1979, the Superintendent of Barrington Area Schools asked three Barrington High School students to identify ways Operation Snowball could work to have a positive impact on both middle school and high school students. The team of three juniors designed and piloted a peer-to-peer drug and alcohol prevention & intervention program in 1980. In this pilot program Barrington High School student leaders were asked to meet with each Barrington Middle School class to discuss their leadership role, the impact alcohol has had on their lives, their choice to abstain and the additional choices abstaining has created for their lives. Its founders wanted to start a prevention and intervention program for youth, where they would learn leadership skills, feel empowered by making their own decisions, and could readily see the impact of their decision in light of their education and life goals. From its inception, Operation Snowball was planned and directed by teens/youth, with adults serving primarily advisory roles. By 1989, all of Illinois School District 220 was implenting the Barrington model. Within a few years, Operation Snowball chapters began to organize throughout the state of Illinois. At first the program was targeted at high school and junior high school students, but later expanded to include elementary schools. The model has continued to evolve over time and is now implemented mainly through retreats.
