Where do teens in Chesterfield County get alcohol, and what are they drinking? When are teens drinking, and why do they drink? Are parents' perceptions of teen drinking the same or different from their teen's perceptions? These are questions addressed in a report recently released by SAFE that compiles the results of a survey of teens and their parents. Click here to link to the Chesterfield Observer for an article about the survey results or select "read more" below for the full report.

As parents head to stores to buy supplies for the upcoming school year, they should choose products that can't be misused by inhaling them.

Parent pods are designed to foster agreement among parents around values relating to underage drinking and other substance use. They utilize parents reaching out to parents to support each other in building healtheir, safer families, neighborhoods and communities. Parent pods are centered around five kernels for raising health kids. 

For many teens, text messaging is a primary form of communication. Texting can help parents stay connected to their kids and open lines of communication about sensitive issues such as substance abuse. Is texting not in your comfort zone? Learn how to use this communication tool effectively.

SAFE will sponsor its second medication cleanout on November 13. In the meantime, learn how to safely dispose of leftover medications on your own.

SAFE held a summit on the public health, public safety and economic implications of substance abuse on June 29 at St. Francis Medical Center. The summit, an invitation-only event, featured Jack Claypoole, associate deputy director of the White House Executive Office of National Drug Control Policy and administrator of the Drug Free Communities grant program. Over 80 leaders from Chesterfield County attended the summit.