We Bring Southington Together to Build Assets and Prevent Substance Misuse

Our Mission

STEPS makes prevention a priority in our community through education, limiting access, and advocacy for policy change.

Our prevention work focuses on underage drinking, tobacco/vaping, cannabis/marijuana use, prescription drug misuse, and more. We believe that positive youth development is an essential building block to create generations of youth that are caring, competent, successful, and substance free.

Our Focus on Youth

STEPS was founded in 2007 with a mission to help our youth grow up to be caring, competent and successful. We develop programs and opportunities for young people to step up and showcase their best selves.

STEPS partners with Southington Public Schools to follow an Asset Building Classrooms (ABC) model. We also have STEPS Youth Council leadership opportunities, a youth community service initiative, and a classroom-based curriculum to improve student health and safety.

STEPS Youth Council

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Stay informed about our latest prevention efforts, news, and events.

Our Prevention Efforts

Our work in Southington to keep young people healthy and safe is a top priority. Data shows that substance use at a young age can lead to:

  • Higher suicide risk
  • Long-term substance use disorders
  • Mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, psychosis)
  • Poor school performance (lower grades, absenteeism)
  • Physical health issues (diseases, injuries)
  • Risky behaviors
  • Social and economic impacts (damaged relationships, missed career opportunities)

All these reasons are why substance use prevention among young people is so important. Take a moment to learn more about our work in Southington right now.

Areas of Focus

In both youth and adults, the perceptions around the risk of marijuana use has decreased dramatically. This is true not only in Connecticut but all over the United States. Some of this shift is in response to changes in social policies and laws.

It is risky to misuse prescription medications or obtain medications that are not provided by a doctor or other medical professional. This is a main cause of preventable overdoses.

Although tobacco use among youth in Southington is decreasing  – only 7% of Southington teens report using tobacco products – the usage of vaping products is on the rise.

Many activities have ages when young people can safely start them. A person must wait until age 16 to start driving, age 18 to marry without parental consent, age 35 to become president, and so on. The legal age to drink is 21 for a reason – it is based on research that shows young people react differently to alcohol.

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Southington STEPS Coalition
3 days ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

We are beaming with pride after watching three Youth Council leaders present to their peers at the Future Prevention Leaders Conference hosted by The Governor's Prevention Partnership! 😊

Ava, Jackie, and Katie shared about their It’s Not Cheesy campaign and their advocacy work at the Capitol to restrict kratom - two amazing accomplishments spearheaded by Youth Council members. Additionally, Ava was co-emcee, Jackie photographed workshops, and Katie participated in a youth in prevention panel discussion.

As we heard many times today, youth are our future - but they’re also our here and now. 🌟They are using their voices to be changemakers not only in Southington, but for our whole state. ... See MoreSee Less

We are beaming with pride after watching three Youth Council leaders present to their peers at the Future Prevention Leaders Conference hosted by The Governors Prevention Partnership! 😊 Ava, Jackie, and Katie shared about their It’s Not Cheesy campaign and their advocacy work at the Capitol to restrict kratom - two amazing accomplishments spearheaded by Youth Council members. Additionally, Ava was co-emcee, Jackie photographed workshops, and Katie participated in a youth in prevention panel discussion. As we heard many times today, youth are our future - but they’re also our here and now. 🌟They are using their voices to be changemakers not only in Southington, but for our whole state.Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
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I love this!! Great job by all 👏🏼

Congratulations on a job well done. So proud of all the hard work the Steps Coalition does in educating and encouraging young people in our community.

Amazing work!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Absolutely phenomenal students!

Great job!

So much to be proud of! Way to go Southington STEPS Coalition Youth Council! 👏🏻❤️

Awesome work! Glad they got to share and receive well deserved recognition!

Outstanding🏆🏆🏆🏆🤩🤩🤩🤩

Awesome!!!

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