Just as they did last year, NOYS will offer 50 $1,000 awards for the best NYTSM activities.  Last year, 15 SADD chapters were recipients of a $1,000 award, and we're hoping for even more this year!  All you need to do is register your activity on the NYTSM website, and you're eligible for an award.

We'll be featuring more information about NYTSM as May approaches.  However, it's not too early for your chapter to begin planning your activity!  Visit the NYTSM website to learn more.

 

These posters are ideal for putting up around school to spread the SADD message, and they'll look great on your bedroom wall, too!  They're also great gifts for someone who embodies one of the attitudes, such as a favorite teacher or coach.

The posters are 17" x 23" and are shipped in a tube to protect them.  You can buy each high-quality poster for $7 or get the entire set of five for just $32!  To order, visit the SADD Store at saddstore.org, call 1-800-394-0090, or e-mail saddstore@workflowone.com.

Before you order, don't forget to ask your State Coordinator for a special code so that your state SADD organization benefits from your purchase.  Don't have a State Coordinator?  No problem - your purchase helps SADD chapters nationwide.

Our friends at Do Something have partnered with Aeropostale on a project to aid homeless teens.  You may not know that teen homelessness is a serious problem, but teens are nearly a third of the total homeless population.

Until February 10, you can bring gently worn jeans (of any brand) to your local Aeropostale store.  The jeans will then be donated to local homeless shelters, and you'll receive 20% off a new pair of jeans at Aeropostale.

Aeropostale will donate 10,000 pairs of their jeans to homeless shelters as well.  Remember, this campaign ends February 10, so bring in your jeans today.  To learn more, visit the Teens for Jeans website.

Studies of teen drug use reveal that while use of most illegal drugs is flat or dropping, prescription drug abuse has become an increasing problem.  "Pharming" parties and trading pills have become serious issues in many schools.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is unveiling a new public awareness campaign to fight prescription drug abuse.  The campaign is aimed at parents to educate them about the problem and what they can do to help limit access to their prescription drugs.

As part of the campaign, public service announcements will soon begin airing on many national television networks.  You can see the ads by clicking here.

The ONDCP prescription drug website is another important tool.  The site features a "danger zone" virtual tour about how prescription medications can be easy to access for teens, discusses the danger posed by use of these drugs, and provides information about the warning signs of prescription drug use by teens.  Click here to visit the website.

Have your friends done something nice for you? Return the kindness with a gift this Valentine's Day and let your friend know how much you appreciate them.

If you order online through the SADD eMall at sadd-emall.com, you'll find great discounts and special offers leading right up to February 14, and a portion of your purchase will support SADD programs and activities.

Get something personalized to make your gift even more memorable. Check out the latest offerings from Apple iTunes and Amazon.com. Purchase name brands from Overstock.com at fabulous savings or think adventure and try the National Geographic online store for something different. Get creative. You'll find something for everyone on your Valentine's Day list at the SADD eMall, including the traditional gifts of candy, flowers, gift cards, and more.  Order early and guarantee Valentine's Day delivery!

And don't forget - this is a leap year, so if you know someone who was born on February 29, this is the time to surprise that special person with something extra special!

To all of you who are already shopping through the eMall, we thank you!  We saw some great activity online over the holidays, and those proceeds will help us reach more chapters with materials and programs.

In the Spotlight this month is Lake Park High School SADD from Roselle, Illinois.  We've highlighted seat belt surveys before, but Lake Park High SADD has come up with a unique twist on the program.

Lake Park High SADD has partnered with local law enforcement to catch students doing good things in a new "Safety Incentive Program."  Police officers patrol school parking lots, reminding students to wear seat belts.  Students who are "caught" wearing their seat belts receive a raffle ticket.

The school will hold regular raffle drawings with prizes from local businesses such as gift certificates for restaurants and fitness centers and movie passes.  The grand prize, donated by the Friendly Ford dealership in Roselle, is $5,000, which can be used for a college scholarship or towards the purchase of a car.

To become eligible for prizes, students need to return a copy of the SADD Contract for Life signed by both the student and parents.  "It serves to open the lines of communication between parents and kids," says Roselle Police Sgt. Dave Hourigan (pictured above handing out raffle tickets).

SADD Advisor Dan Olandese hopes that the program will reward good behavior and lead to a safer school community.  Congrats to everyone at Lake Park High School SADD for this creative campaign!

If you'd like to see YOUR chapter featured in The SADDvocate or in 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 at the mailing address at the bottom of this e-mail.

Material from the Daily Herald in Illinois was used in this report.

Each month, SADD's Programming Department - Director Matt Lowe and Assistant Director Ashley Conners - bring you quick and easy ideas for activities to enliven chapter meetings, brighten your school, or reach out to recruit new members.

Did you know that March 31 is the start of National Youth Violence Prevention Week?  Start planning now and get involved with this national movement to raise awareness and educate your school about ways to reduce youth violence.  Build interest and excitement with a new event each week leading up to the national kickoff.  Here are a few ideas:

• Create a "Peace Wall" highlighting leaders and individuals who used non-violence to deal with injustice.
• Visit your local elementary and middle schools to speak about bullying, name-calling, and teasing.  Include skits, music, and other creative ways to get the message across.
• Invite your local law enforcement officer to your school to conduct a safety audit and share safety tips.
• Have your SADD chapter members challenge themselves to meet a new classmate every day for a week, and make sure that person feels included in the school.

There are lots more activities your chapter can do to prevent or reduce youth violence.  Use your imagination, or find more information about National Youth Violence Prevention Week at violencepreventionweek.org.

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 helpful activity plans.  Click here to learn more about the new SADD Manual.

Nominations must be related to work supporting the SADD mission between April 1, 2007, and April 1, 2008.  Cash prizes of $500, $250, and $100 will be awarded to first-, second-, and third-place winners, respectively, in each category.  In addition, SADD National will cover the cost of a SADD National Ground Package to the conference for one student and one adult for the first-place winners of each award, to ensure that they can accept their awards in person (winners are responsible for their own travel to Phoenix).

Nominations may be submitted by a SADD student or advisor; self-nominations are accepted.  Nomination forms are available on the sadd.org website now.  Completed forms and supporting materials must be received at the SADD National office by Friday, April 11, 2008.  For the nomination forms, click here.