How do I get white collar's to listen to me?

Question

I have been working on this program of Intervention and we have a huge drug problem in our community, which I know I can help. But I am a recovering heroin addict and it seems that just because I have a bad past then they all think I don't know what would help these teens here in our town. Every one wants to put this problem on the back bunner and not take care of our kids.I feel with my first hand experience with abuse that they would listen but they don't.I have had meetings with so many white collars, like Mayor, Cheif of Police, Pastor's,Commissioners, and the list goes on, my questions is this any kids out there who would you listen to a person that has been there or a person that has a title in town that is a head of something?

Answer 1

have you tried everything try getting some kids on bord

Answer 2

Start behaving like a tie and cuff links

Answer 3

Hey  picture don't lie so you probably need to show some proof and connect with other programs out or inside your community. and most of all don't give keep trying, its great that someone gives a dam about our kids of the future, future, future, think this will be the future for every one

Answer 4

try your local news station they will usually listen if it's something that the public wants to hear. then word seems to travel alot quicker to the people who need to listen, such as the people you have tried to contact you, since drug awareness is a big issue all over the country, they should listen and most of the time you can get fianances thru the state and local govermant to help.

Answer 5

My first suggestion is to quit assuming things. Are the people you have met with not 'listening' to you, or are they not taking the action you want? There is a difference. Assuming that your past is the cause of you not being 'listened to', or the reason why the people you've met with not taking the action you have asked, is counter-productive. I can understand why you assume your past is the problem, but you can't know for sure that is the problem. Whether or not your past affects your credibility with these people, there are likely many other reasons you haven't had success yet, and assuming your past is the only problem will keep you from addressing the other issues.

Gaining support and participation for new programs takes time, lots of effort, diligence, some proof to support your ideas, and PERSISTENCE. I have worked on getting support for new programs....some of them took years to get off the ground, while others were up and running in a year. Expecting immediate results can lead you to frustration and failure, if your ideas truly have merit, then those ideas deserve a longer view and not the expectation of immediate gratisfication after a few meetings.

How well have you educated yourself about local programs for youth, services for addicts, and interventions? Have you tried to collaborate with any of the groups that are currently providing these services? Sometimes going at a problem in a different way can help. Sometimes working with people who are already providing services can help. Why not try working with other groups and then meeting with your public officials and faith community leaders again?