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SAFE Choices:
Serving Youth & Young Adults

Prioritizing the advancement of youth substance use prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery.

Our SAFE Choices Mission:

Foster resiliency in youth development through collaborative and diversified approaches that reduce risk of substance addiction and mental health challenges while empowering SAFE Choices in all stages of youth development.

Our Vision:

ALL youth reach their fullest potential.

Our Goals:

Ensure young people have the information and tools necessary for making meaningful SAFE Choices. Our goals respect individual basic motivation and personal autonomy, as well as self-determination, and the fact that every person is one choice away from a different life.

  • Goal #1: Design and implement innovative programs that build resilience and essential life skills through empowering and engaging education for disparate populations of underserved youth.
  • Goal #2: Advance evidence-informed prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery strategies that enhance youth social and emotional learning and wellness in all stages of youth development.
  • Goal #3: Foster life-fueling connection opportunities for youth that focus on stigma reduction and the promotion of healthy choices across the lifespan.
  • Goal #4: Advocate for effective mental, emotional, and behavior interventions for the youth sector through targeted outreach and the formation of collaborative relationships.

SAFE Choices Programs Available

No Shame Education Program

No Shame Education Program

Designed to increase knowledge and understanding of principles on the No Shame Pledge and empower action to combat stigma.

“Connections” Program

Youth and young adults impacted by disciplinary measures and/or the justice system have a unique chance to make positive human connections and develop essential life skills.

Additional SAFE Choices Resources

Youth & Youth-Led Groups

Prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery resources/activities for youth and young adults.

Parents, Guardians, & Caretakers of Youth

Prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery resources for parents, guardians, and caregivers of youth, including young children and teenagers.

Educators & Youth-Serving Organizations

Prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery resources for educators and youth-serving organizations.

Choose Knowledge: “Power to Empower”

Choose knowledge with these publications, journals, & reports that pertain to youth substance prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery.

December 2024: National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

The month of December brings the excitement of the holiday season coupled with increased travel as folks take to the roadways for holiday shopping, gatherings with friends and family, and plans to get home for the holidays. With increased levels of travel, the month has been designated as Impaired Driving Prevention Month — a month in which all are invited to promote responsible highway safety through prevention efforts focused on impaired driving.

Impaired driving refers to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of a mind-altering substance(s). This includes: alcohol, marijuana, illicit drugs (heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine), and certain prescription and over the counter medications. These substances affect different people differently with negative impacts that include slower reaction time, decreased coordination, impaired judgment of time and distance, and fatigue (feeling drowsy).

Injuries and the loss of life due to impaired driving are 100% preventable! Driving impaired by any substance, alcohol, and other drugs — whether legal or illegal — is against the law in all states. The most commonly involved substance in highway traffic accidents and crashes is alcohol, followed by marijuana. Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher can result in a DUI. Reaching a BAC of .08 depends on many different factors including gender, weight, liver health, medical factors, and use of medications, and even whether or not there has been food consumption. The bottom line: driving impaired is extremely risky, putting the driver, passengers, and others who share the roads in jeopardy.

There are ways to make a lifesaving difference:

  1. Talk to your loved ones — drivers of all ages, but especially young drivers — about impaired driving. Ensure they are aware of risks as well as prevention strategies (e.g., plan for a sober designated driver, public transportation, a cab or ride sharing service, etc.).
  2. Driving while impaired can be an indicator of substance use disorder. Consider talking to a treatment counselor, physician, or someone who can open doors to help and support.

During the month of December, check back weekly for more information on this topic on our “Choose Knowledge” page.

Additional Resources & Assistance

For more information about SAFE Choices, contact
Senior Director Ronna Yablonski at: choices@safeproject.us

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