Submitted by Valerie Marone

BRIGHTON — Seminoles Without Addictions Make Progress (S.W.A.M.P.) held its first holiday dance for Brighton teens and tweens on Nov. 19 at the Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School cafeteria.

S.W.A.M.P. is a Brighton Family Services substance abuse prevention program. One of the goals of S.W.A.M.P. is to provide drug-free, fun alternatives for the teens and tweens of the Brighton Community, reinforcing its motto, that Brighton’s youth do have “Better Things To Do Than Drugs!”

The Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) teens from Okeechobee High School made a guest appearance at the event.

Brighton Boys & Girls Club site manager Derek Pierce and youth who participated in his music production program served as the disc jockeys for the night, running the mix board as the teens danced to their favorite tunes.

S.W.A.M.P. members host activities like this dance to build social competence and drug-resistance skills. The organization believes that youth who engage in healthy alternative activities are less likely to become involved with negative peer pressure and are more prepared to say no to dangerous activities such as using alcohol and drugs.