The Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC) offers a wide variety of nationally recognized, award winning education and prevention youth programs to help youth learn about the dangers of substance abuse, underage drinking, and tobacco use and how to avoid them.

VSAAC’s youth programs are interactive, culturally sensitive, targeted for a wide variety of age ranges and audience sizes, and can be customized to fit your school’s/ group’s/ organization’s specific needs. Below are some of VSAAC’s most popular youth program offerings:

The Tale of Samantha the Skunk & Why Smoking Stinks is an animated, interactive presentation for young audiences that tells the story of Samantha, a magenta skunk, and her experience with smoking her first cigarette. This story presentation (as told by Samantha) runs approximately 40 minutes. Ages: Pre-K to 2nd grade

The Statewide Tobacco Education Program (STEP), developedby the Connecticut Prevention Network, is an innovative and activity-based curriculum for youth ages 5-14. The (5) one hour sessions are designed to be a perfect fit in a variety of settings including summer camps, positive youth development programs, boys and girls clubs and traditional class-room locations.

The curriculum is composed of 5 modules that promote tobacco prevention for youth in a unique format. The modules include:: Introduction; Environment and the Media; Healthy vs. Unhealthy; Cost and Choices; and Dealing with Peer Pressure.

To learn more about the STEP program, contact VSAAC at 203-236-8566 today!

Toxic drinking is an epidemic on campuses all across America. It means consuming so much alcohol the drinker passes out. But while “sleeping it off,” the victim may be quietly dying. When you come right down to it, it’s a problem that only students can tackle. The Red Watch Band movement is designed to end alcohol overdose deaths by teaching students how to handle alcohol emergencies and summon professional help.

The mission of the Red Watch program is to provide campus community members with the knowledge, awareness, and skills to prevent student toxic drinking deaths and to promote a student culture of kindness, responsibility, compassion, and respect. Students who successfully complete the Red Watch training program are awarded the Red Watch Band, as a symbol of their role as peer mentors who are trained “to watch over one another when ‘every second counts’.”

To learn more about Red Watch Training and/or to schedule a training for your group, contact VSAAC at 203-736-8566 today!

VSAAC’s CAP program is designed to address the problem of gambling addiction and other risky behaviors among youth of middle and/or high school age. The CAP program uses a peer to peer support, advocacy and prevention model that teaches youth to identify other at risk youth and provide assistance via outreach and referral.

CAP Strategies include: Information Dissemination – Information is distributed to both students and parents. In addition, we have a PSA that airs at our local supermarket, and on our website and cable access channels. Education – The 6-hour curriculum provides educational services for youth groups and their facilitators. Alternatives – Support training for peer leaders to promote prevention in their communities, after school programs, and faith based communities. Problem ID and Referral – Enables participants to develop an understanding of risky behaviors and warning signs, and teaches them to refer to local services, and/or professional or self help. Other – encourages policy change in regards to local school casino nights, etc.

For more information or to schedule a CAP training for your youth group, contact VSAAC at 203-736-8566 today!.