In recent months, significant attention has been paid to the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA), for a variety of reasons.  The debate over the MLDA can be confusing, and there are a number of myths surrounding the issue.  Perhaps you've heard that the drinking age increases underage drinking because it is a "forbidden fruit?"  Or that Europeans, whose drinking ages are lower, have fewer drinking problems than Americans?  Both of these are actually false!  To really understand the issue, you need to have all the facts.  There are a number of good resources that offer more information on this important topic.

SADD's Chairman and CEO Stephen Wallace covered the MLDA in an op-ed article that was widely printed throughout the United States.  The op-ed - called "Why Not 21?" - examines the debate about the MLDA, talks about some of the myths, and references SADD's important research.  Click here to read Stephen's op-ed article.

MADD, in association with a number of other groups, has created "Why 21?" - a website to explain the issue's facts and research.  Why 21? gets at the truth and provides research and statistics to back up the case for maintaining the MLDA.  Click here to visit the why21.org website.

Finally, SADD's partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, called "We Don't Serve Teens," has a website that also examines the facts behind the drinking age and the research supporting it.  Click here to go to the We Don't Serve Teens website.

ONDCP's website for parents, The Anti-Drug, has a number of resources for 3D Month, including a message to parents from ONDCP Director John Walters.  Click here to go to theantidrug.com website.

You can also visit the new Stop Drugged Driving website by clicking here.

 

The MTF results are good news, showing a significant decline in the use of most illegal drugs over the last six years.  The combined results for 8th, 10th, and 12th graders showed that since 2001 alcohol use has dropped 15%, cigarettes 33%, marijuana 25%, and meth 64%.  The news isn't all good, however, for prescription drug abuse has been growing in recent years.

SADD has partnered with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) over the years in working towards the goal of significantly reducing teen drug and alcohol use.

For the text of the President's remarks, click here.  For the full Monitoring the Future survey results, click here.

Fund-raising is an issue for every SADD chapter.  Whether raising money to attend SADD conferences, bring in speakers, produce educational events, or perform community service, every chapter needs financial support.  You can raise funds locally by selling items, soliciting local businesses, etc.  Part of the SADD National Conference registration materials will include fund-raising tips for small, local fund-raising efforts that you can use not only to attend the national conference but also for everyday chapter needs.  Look for that information on the sadd.org website shortly.

In addition to local fund-raising efforts, there are also grants your chapter can apply for.  Look in your community for local grants - sometimes community foundations, local companies, and others will offer grants.  There are also many national grants available.

Do Something is a national organization that focuses on interactive online communication with young people who are interested in making a difference in their communities.  Do Something has many grants that may be a good fit for SADD chapters, including two different $500 grants that are awarded each week!  Click here to see their weekly grants.  Do Something also offers a comprehensive list of grants offered by a variety of agencies.  Click here for the Do Something grant database.

Youth Service America is another great resource for grant opportunities focused on community service.   They have a grants and awards list as well - click here to see it.

Shop for a cause you care about.  Every time you shop online, simply make one extra click to the SADD eMall first and then click to the store of your choice.

When you do, online retailers like Aeropostale, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Best Buy, dELiA*s, Timberland, Target, and hundreds of other popular retailers automatically send an average of 3% - and up to 25% - of the purchase to SADD.

With the holidays upon us, you'll be sure to find something for everyone on your list!  From stocking-stuffers and gifts to cards and party favors, the SADD eMall has everything you need to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year.

To begin shopping, visit www.sadd-emall.com.  To make it even easier, you can put a shortcut link on your desktop by clicking here.  Then just click the link to start shopping!

We hope you'll help us spread the word.  Send the eMall link to everyone you know, including parents, grandparents, other relatives, and friends, and ask them to help support a cause that you care deeply about!  Have fun shopping and know that you are helping SADD at the same time.

In the Spotlight this month is South Windsor High SADD from South Windsor, Connecticut.  The picture shows members of South Windsor SADD as they conducted a seat belt check at their school.

A seat belt check is a great example of a simple SADD activity that every chapter can do.  At South Windsor High, students stopped cars and checked to see if students were wearing their seat belts.  If they were, they received a bag of Smartfood.  If not, they received a pack of Lifesavers.  As an educational measure, a statistic about the value of wearing a seat belt was attached to each item.

South Windsor High SADD Advisor Jennifer Anderson was proud to report that the SADD students handed out 250 bags of Smartfood and only 12 packs of Lifesavers.

To see how SADD messaging makes a difference, consider doing a seat belt survey, where students observe the rate of seat belt usage without stopping cars and calling attention to themselves.  Next have your chapter educate the school community through posters, fliers, school announcements, etc.  Then when you do your seat belt check with incentives, you can see how many more students and faculty members are wearing seat belts as a result of your efforts!

If you'd like to see YOUR chapter featured in The SADDvocate or our print newsletter, Decisions, be sure to let us know about what you're doing!  Include a picture or two if you can.  Send news to Chris Egan, SADD National Director of Field Services, at cegan@sadd.org or the mailing address at the bottom of this e-mail.

The SADD Store has introduced a brand-new line of merchandise!  Called attitudes for living, the new line focuses on four "attitudes" captured in the phrase "Believe in yourself, Strive to make a difference, Inspire others, and Laugh along the way."

 

New in this issue of The SADDvocate is the SADD Program Corner.  Each month, SADD's Programming Department - Director Matt Lowe and Assistant Director Ashley Conners - will bring you quick and easy ideas for activities to enliven chapter meetings, brighten your school, or reach out to recruit new members.

This month, with the holidays upon us, why not give a small gift to classmates and add a caring message?  Choose something small - a food item or a bracelet or pin.  Attach a card that reads:

I'm giving this gift to you as a reminder of our friendship.  I care about you and your safety.  Please remember to stay safe and make positive choices.  Join me in following SADD's Attitudes for Living: Believe in yourself, Strive to make a difference, Inspire others, and Laugh along the way.  Remember, you will always have a friend in me!

A great idea is SADD's attitudes for living bracelets (pictured above).  The bracelet is inexpensive and makes a great gift!

This activity idea was adapted from the "Friends for Life" activity available on our website.  Did you know there are lots of free activity ideas at sadd.org?  Click here to see a list of some of the great ideas for activities your chapter can do!

And don't forget about the SADD Manual, which is filled with important information and great activity plans.  Click here to learn more about the new SADD Manual.

 

Check out this useful resource today!  Click here to visit the Speak Out and Make NOYS website.

 
A "Save the Date" postcard was mailed to chapters in the last few days, and pricing and registration details for the conference will be posted on the SADD website before the end of the month.  We apologize for the delay in getting this information out to you.  We hope to see many of you at this can't-miss event!