Program Specialist Keith Page Interview

I interviewed my Program Specialist who works for MADD which stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

I am responsible for implementing and managing MADD’s SMART™ (Start Making a Right Turn) program in various cities throughout Los Angeles and Ventura County. SMART™ is a program for youth between 13-18 years of age that have been charged with any variety of offenses, including (but not limited to): possession of alcohol by a minor, possession of marijuana, reckless driving, speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, talking/texting while driving and other motor vehicle violations.  

I started out as a substance abuse counselor for a non-profit organization that provided treatment services for inmates within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During my tenure as a substance abuse counselor I discovered that most of my clients begin to use drugs and alcohol at an early age, as early as nine years old. As a result, I was inspired to help children who have issues with substance abuse and I was eventually given an opportunity to serve as a Program Coordinator for a non-profit organization that provides treatment services for both middle and high school age youth that have a history of substance abuse. After serving as Program Coordinator for two years, I decided to resign to further my education so that I could equip myself with the tools that I needed to start my own business and impact youth on a larger scale. In 2012, I obtained MPA (Master of Public Administration). In order to be a Program Specialist for MADD, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree within the social science field and at least two years of experience working with at-risk youth.  In order to be an effective Program Specialist, you need to, network, network, network because you never know who (teachers, law enforcement officers, local business owners, youth counselors, etc.) will help get the success rates that you desire. In regards to new trends in the field: More students nationally, 12^th graders, are using marijuana daily than they were 5 years ago 5.1% to 6.5% (Monitoring the Future, 2012) http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/

I would be interested in this career, because you can help change people's lives and help parents feel better about their son or daughter.  Helping teenagers is a wonderful opportunity, you may actually be their inspiration after the program is all said and done.