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.

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:

• SAFE Youth Coalition: Members are high school volunteers who represent Chesterfield County and SAFE in educating themselves and others in preventing substance abuse, and participate in social media creations and compliance checks.
• Teen Leadership: SAFE helps develop teen leaders. Teens participate as buyers for
  underage compliance checks.
• Use, You Lose: A campaign reaching children from kindergarten through grade 12 and their parents, Use, You Lose stresses consequences of substance abuse.

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
– radio ads recorded by teens
– ongoing compliance checks
– partnerships with complying alcohol  retailers
– promoting safe and sober high school graduations.

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Get Involved!
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Stay SAFE Presentation

Stay SAFE programming educates 6th grade students about the dangers of substance use, strengthens their decision-making skills, and supports them in identifying trusted adults. This virtual presentation provides broad education about nicotine and tobacco, cannabis, and opioids, with a particular focus on fentanyl and its presence in fake and counterfeit pills. By the end of this program, students will have a better understanding of how to advocate for themselves and their peers, be able to identify their personal “safety net”, and correct misperceptions about substance use among their peers.