Preventing teen substance abuse is why Youth On Up was started.
The Fulton group addresses the need for area youth to get involved in safe activities rather than abusing alcohol or drugs. To try and incorporate more teens into Youth On Up (YOU), the group is hosting a community picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Veterans Park. Along with two guest speakers, the picnic will also include free food, drinks, music, games and other activities.
Yolanda Smith, executive chair of the YOU committee, said the picnic is just one way the organization hopes to show youth they can have fun without using drugs or alcohol.
YOU members meet at 5:15 p.m. every third Thursday of the month at the John C. Harris Community Center in Fulton.
"We need more parents or anybody who wants to get involved to help," Smith said.