What We Do

SAFE’s mission is to engage our community in working together to prevent substance abuse.

SAFE...
  • Develops community partnerships, expanding substance abuse prevention efforts to all sectors of the community.
  • Advocates for laws and policies that reduce substance abuse and for funding for initiatives that have been proven effective in curbing substance abuse.
  • Increases awareness of substance abuse issues and works to strengthen community norms that support substance abuse-free living.
  • Involves youth in leadership roles to influence their peers, adults and community leaders about the value of substance abuse free living.

 


SAFE board members brainstorm at a strategic planning session.
The coalition focuses on community-wide initiatives to prevent substance abuse rather than on programs or activities that target individuals or small groups. Some of SAFE’s major activities have included:
Bandfest

SAFE’s signature alcohol and drug-free event for teens, planned and implemented by teens, features local teen bands and a variety of other activities. Read more...

Use, You Lose

A campaign reaching children from kindergarten through grade 12 and their parents, Use, You Lose stresses consequences of substance abuse. Read more...

Coaches initiative

Youths look up to their coaches, so they are valuable messengers to convey the importance of staying away from tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. SAFE has developed a handbook for coaches of middle school children that contains short lessons on topics such as why alcohol and athletes don't mix to why steroids are a quick way to ruin an athletic career. The 15-minute lessons can be taught before or after practices. SAFE helps any type of athletic league implement this program. View Coaches Handbook for Preventing Youth Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Use.
Inhalant abuse prevention

Huffing or sniffing common products to get high was identified as a significant problem in our community, particularly among younger adolescents. SAFE has used media campaigns, comprehensive training for school staff, parent workshops and student school supply list changes to help reduce the problem of inhalant abuse Read more...

Underage drinking prevention

Alcohol use is the most pervasive problem among the greatest number of Chesterfield youths. SAFE’s prevention efforts have included:
- teach-ins by the chief of police
- Café Conversations about alcohol between middle schools students and their parents
- radio ads recorded by teens
- ongoing compliance checks
- partnerships with complying alcohol   retailers
- parent education about the legalities and   realities of Beach Week
- promoting safe and sober high school   graduations
Read more...
Prescription drugs

The abuse of prescription drugs and over the counter medications is an increasing problem among Chesterfield youths. Past 30-day use of prescription narcotics by Chesterfield high school seniors was 70 percent higher than the national average. Have you talked to your children about prescription drug abuse? Read more...

Student vs. Marijuana

SAFE presents a dramatization of what happens to a student who is caught with marijuana at school, from the principal’s office to the courtroom, to help young people understand the consequences of poor choices. Read more...

Tobacco

Prevention is key. Teens who don’t smoke before age 18 are unlikely to ever develop the habit. Read more...