Coginchaug Regional High School || Cromwell High School || East Hampton High School
Haddam-Killingworth High School || Mercy High School || Middletown High School

The Morgan School (Clinton) || Nathan Hale Ray High School (East Haddam)

Old Saybrook High School || Portland High School || Valley Regional High School
Westbrook High School || Xavier High School

Coginchaug High School – Educated Decisions Guiding Everyday (EDGE)
Christen Bertz and Becca Anderson, Advisors

The students from EDGE have been very active this year. They are currently working to pass a local ordinance against underage drinking in Middlefield.  They created an informational bulletin board that was first used to promote Prom Safety. EDGE is working on several prevention initiatives this fall.  Students are being trained to speak to community groups about what's going on in Durham and Middlefield around underage drinking in hopes of heightening awareness.

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Cromwell High School – Cromwell Awareness Youth Action Council (CAYAC)
Henry Speno, Advisor

In addition to having a student co-chair the Cromwell Awareness and Prevention Council, CAYAC put together a school wide assembly last year with the anti-drug presentation, "I AM DIRT". CAYAC ended the semester by hosting a Mock Car Crash with help from many community first responders and officials.

East Hampton High School – Youth Leadership Council
Leslie Kassman, Advisor

The Youth Leadership Council started the year by sending out the brochure "Teen Parties and the Law" to all high school parents.  They are also planning to once again work with a local package store to decorate paper bags with safe driving messages for the holidays.  The Youth Leadership Council is also working on an exciting intergenerational project.  By running an anti-drug and alcohol poster contest in the middle school the high school students hope to promote healthy choices by being good role models.

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Haddam-Killingworth High School – Youth In Action
Cheryl Chandler, Advisor

Youth In Action, at Haddam-Killingworth, focus on prevention as well as community service.  Some of their projects include passing a local ordinance against drinking in Haddam, as well as working with local package stores to deter adults from purchasing for minors.  The group also spoke with the eighth grade class at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School about the rewards of being involved in community service.  Youth in Action has begun writing and distributing their own newsletter throughout Haddam/Killingworth High School.

Mercy High School – Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
Sanchita Maitra, Advisor

Mercy’s SADD chapter participated in the Red Ribbon "Tie One on for Safety" campaign this holiday season.  In addition, they are planning a spring assembly for the entire school that will focus on healthy choices and leadership.  They will also be working on a pre-prom campaign to encourage students not to drink during prom and graduation season.

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Middletown High School – Dragons In Action
Justin Carbonella, Advisor

This is highly motivated group at Middletown High focuses on both substance abuse as well as other teen issues.  They plan to run the Red Ribbon "Tie One on For Safety" campaign in which Middletown's Local Prevention Council will work with the high school students to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.  Dragons In Action has been developing a workshop for juniors and seniors that will prepare them for tough decisions they will be faced with in their first year of college.

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Morgan High School – Peer Advocates
Maria Giraldo, Advisor

The Peer Advocates continue to be trained in current issues, including depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and violence prevention.  They have designed and created posters that highlight teen issues and resources which are displayed in Morgan High School.  The group also sends Birthday Cards to students celebrating their 16th Birthday to remind them of the new responsibilities that go along with getting a driver's license. Finally, they will begin planning for another successful Awareness Week, to be held in the spring at the high school.  

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Nathan Hale Ray High School – Youth Helping Youth
Michele Sitro, Advisor

This fall, Youth Helping Youth is working on the Red Ribbon Week campaign to promote a unified front against drugs. Throughout the year the group will be creating and presenting a workshop on peer pressure to teachers, parents, and students.  They continue to be involved in anti-bullying measures as well as asset-building programs at Hale-Ray High School.

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Old Saybrook High School
Jane Moen, Advisor

The Peer Advocates have recently finished their training in the peer helper curriculum.  The students took part in Old Saybrook's Family Day this fall by volunteering their time. Also, an informational resource table and video will be shown at the Parent/Teacher Conferences to raise awareness around underage drinking. The Peer Advocates continue to plan prevention activities that will involve parents and youth.

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Portland High School – PHS Substance Abuse Council
Charlie Ryan, Advisor

The PHS Substance Abuse Council is working on sponsoring a full-school assembly on prevention and healthy choices.  In addition, they sponsor an alcohol and drug-free Friday night activities a few times a year to encourage other students to have a good time without using.  They handed out red ribbons to promote awareness of drinking and driving, and are planning their annual prevention poster contest, to be held in the spring.

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Valley Regional High School – Youth Advisory Council
Brad Pitman and Melissa Haines, Advisors

Valley's Youth Leadership Council merged with Tri-Town Youth Services Youth Advisory Board to create the Youth Advisory Council - the first "hybrid" in the county. Students continue to hold highly successful coffeehouses, with live music and food, providing a great alternative activity for students.  Other prevention activities include: 16th Birthday Cards, a presentation by the Hard Truth, and continuing the campaign to get the local ordinance to stop underage drinking passed.

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Westbrook High School – Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
Lyn Connery, Advisor

Westbrook’s SADD chapter continued to be active and successful this year, with their Widening Your Horizon's Day held this fall.  The day will consist of 30 workshops available for students that highlight asset building, and making healthy choices. A wide array of speakers and materials were brought in for students so they could learn more information about their favorite topics.  SADD will also take part in the MADD Red Ribbon, Tie One On For Safety, this winter.

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Xavier High School – Peer Awareness Council

This group continued to steadily recruit new members and increase its visibility.  They took over a bulletin board at school and have continued to post materials and facts about current substance abuse issues.  They are planning on ending the semester with the "Tie One on for Safety" Campaign, distributing red ribbons to the entire student body.  They are currently planning for spring activities, including a pre-prom awareness campaign.