The Philosophy of SADD
SADD was founded on the simple philosophy that young people, empowered to help each other, are the most effective force in prevention. For more than a quarter-century, SADD has been recognized as a national leader in alcohol and drug education and prevention. What began as a small-town, grass-roots response to the tragedy of two impaired driving crashes and the resulting deaths of two teenage students quickly grew to become a nationwide organization fueled by millions of young people across the country and around the world. Through the efforts of SADD and similar organizations and with changes in government policy and law, the number of teen alcohol-related traffic crashes has been reduced by almost 60 percent. SADD’s "Contract for Life" has become part of the vernacular. At the same time, the world of teenagers has become more complex, and substance abuse, violence, HIV/AIDS, and suicide are also threats to teens’ well-being. With its expansion of focus to include other destructive decisions, SADD is the premier youth-based education and prevention organization in America and maintains the ability to play a leading role in effective, evidence-based prevention programming.

The Value of SADD

• Information Dissemination and Access to Local Communities
  With thousands of chapters nationwide and a strong network of state coordinators and school-based advisors, SADD is uniquely positioned to help young people with the growing threats to their health, happiness, and safety. Through their campaigns and activities, SADD chapters influence millions of people in schools, families, local community organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and the media. As an active, established youth program, SADD reaches into more schools and touches more young people for longer periods of time than does any other program.
  
  
• Integration of Prevention Principles
  In this era of science-based prevention and increased accountability, SADD is continuously strengthening and documenting the effectiveness of its activities and programming. Its strong name recognition and expansive chapter base put SADD at an unparalleled advantage to take a leadership role in implementing model prevention practices in local communities across the country.
  
  Much of the research literature available about effective prevention programming details a framework of science-based principles that SADD embraces. One of the foremost principles of prevention consistently cited is positive youth development, the very essence of SADD. Through SADD chapters, young people of all ages and backgrounds become skilled, educated agents for youth initiatives developed by local, state, and national organizations working to promote youth safety and health. SADD students are valued as contributing members of their communities. Using the array of resources available in their cities and states, SADD students seek out and connect their school communities to information, ideas, educational materials and funding, training, and program opportunities.