SOCASA:  South Orangetown Community Awareness of Substance Abuse

Drug Czar Awards $21 Million for Local Drug Free Community Coalition Efforts - read

Mission Statement

The South Orangetown Central School District wishes to increase awareness of teenage substance abuse and increase communication between teens, parents, educators, and community members in order to promote education, encourage prevention and decrease substance abuse related accidents and fatalities.

SOCASA

In Rockland County, accidents and fatalities resulting from the use of alcohol and drugs by teenagers have been on the rise.  In response to this serious problem, the South Orangetown Central School District’s Health Committee, together with parents, middle and high school students, and community representatives, initiated a special Drug and Alcohol Task Force.  SOCASA’s goal is to create a teen substance abuse program, building on and supplementing the many programs already existing in our schools, such as SADD.  In so doing, SOCASA hopes to prevent needless tragedies that can occur when our children drink or abuse drugs.

Education/Prevention

SOCASA helps develop strategies that bring parents, schools and the community together to raise awareness of substance abuse.  Parenting education such as current literature and programs that open communication lines about substance abuse and its reduction and prevention.

Fundraising

The organization raises funds to support alternate activities for student as well as education and prevention programs sponsored by the coalition.

Special Events

Alternate activities in an alcohol and drug-free environment are planned for students in our community.

Did You Know...

  • The median age which children begin drinking is 13?
     

  • If a child reaches the age of fifteen without using drugs/alcohol, he or she is less likely to have a problem with those substances as an adult?
     

  • In 2000, approximately one in five persons under the legal drinking age were binge drinkers, consuming five or more drinks on the same occasion?
     

  • Approximately 60% of all teen deaths in car crashes are alcohol related? 

Contact Information

Vickie Shaw                  680-1000 extension 1271                        vshaw@socsd.org

Sue Maher                    680-1000 extension 1675                        smaher@socsd.org

Links:

www.Clubdrugs.org

www.DrugFreeAmerica.org

www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/clubdrugs.html

www.rockland-al-anon.org