SADD: Students Helping Students Find Their Way Home Safely

By Laurie Borst

In the 1980s, SADD stood for “Students Against Drunk Driving.” But as time has marched on and issues facing teens have changed, the Newtown High School chapter of SADD has changed its name to “Students Against Destructive Decisions.”

“The name change allows us to cover more topics that affect students today,” said Drew Taylor, a member of SADD’s Leadership Group. The Leadership Group is comprised of Taylor, Chris Meier, Jack Quinn, Justin Miller, and Mike Klein.

Each leader assumes responsibility for a different area, including, media/public awareness, contact/recruiting, web design, secretary, and treasurer.

The members of the Leadership Group all became involved with SADD because of either older siblings or friends whose enthusiasm drew them in.

“I saw the impact it had on those who joined,” said Drew. “We are always looking for new members.”

The group is happy that membership has risen dramatically this year. The roster has 38 names on it, and they are just getting going.

Mrs Blanchard explained that many of those students involved are on the soccer team, and that season just ended. Also, these are high achievers who are just wrapping up the college application process. Now they will have more time to give to SADD projects.

On the morning of November 27, representatives of the club spoke to advisory classes about the work they do, to raise awareness.

They helped with the recent food drive for the WIN Thanksgiving baskets. The group organizes events around the school and community to make people aware of the issues facing young people. They attend a variety of fairs, promote preprom awareness, run the mock crash, offer workshops on holiday safety, and have a table at the spring health fair.

SADD also sends representatives to the Newtown Prevention Council meetings, to give the youth perspective to help ensure programs the council develops work well with teens.

“The club is hoping to bring in nationally known speaker Jean Kilbourne,” said Mrs Blanchard. “Ms Kilbourne speaks to the issues of advertising and how these images affect people.”

They hope to bring Ms Kilbourne in to speak in April or May, to help focus attention on the prom and the many choices involved with that event.

The club has two advisors. Carol Skolas, an art teacher at NHS, has been advising the group for nine years. She was joined three years ago by Judy Blanchard, District Health Coordinator.

“This are wonderful kids,” said Mrs Blanchard. “They challenge their classmates to think about the decisions they make.”

The Newtown Prevention Council recently award the group a $1,000 grant, which it will use to address the issue of binge drinking.