We Bring Southington Together to Build Assets and Prevent Substance Misuse

STEPS Prevention Council

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

Get updates from STEPS

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
2 months ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

👏🏼🎉 Let’s hear it for our Board President!!Join us on Wednesday, February 15th, for our 94th YMCA Annual Meeting & Awards Recognition Dinner at 5:30PM at the Aqua Turf Club! This evening will be about recognizing individuals & organizations for their outstanding work supporting and improving the quality of life in our community. One of those individuals is our YMCA Person of the Year: Bill Palmieri - Presented to a member of the Southington community who, through their actions, makes Southington a better place to live. Tickets are available for purchase at SCCYMCA.org/RecognitionDinner. We hope to see you there! #Celebrate #SocialResponsibility #SCCYMCA ... See MoreSee Less

👏🏼🎉 Let’s hear it for our Board President!!
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I’m there!

Southington STEPS Coalition
2 months ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

Check out this PSA created by our friends in HK and our favorite film maker Dan LeRoy Productions, LLC! ... See MoreSee Less

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Great job Dan LeRoy!

Thank you for sharing!

Southington STEPS Coalition
2 months ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

Today is the first day that adults 21+ can purchase cannabis in CT. Visit @beintheknowct for more info on the laws, safe storage, and safe disposal. ... See MoreSee Less

Today is the first day that adults 21+ can purchase cannabis in CT. Visit @beintheknowct for more info on the laws, safe storage, and safe disposal.
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Southington STEPS Coalition is in Southington, Connecticut.
2 months ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

Celebrating our prevention partners @southington_police!

We honor those who have died in the line of duty and those who continue to serve us every day. ... See MoreSee Less

Celebrating our prevention partners @southington_police! We honor those who have died in the line of duty and those who continue to serve us every day.
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