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
2 weeks ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

We had a great time presenting all about the penjamins at Southington Public Convocation PD today! We shared data from our student survey and explained recent trends in vaping, cannabis, alcohol, and inhalants. ... See MoreSee Less

We had a great time presenting all about the penjamins at @southingtonschools Convocation PD today! We shared data from our student survey and explained recent trends in vaping, cannabis, alcohol, and inhalants.
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Southington STEPS Coalition
3 weeks ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

Dangerous viral trend alert: Galaxy Gas

As seen on Tik Tok and Snapchat, inhalants are making a comeback. Galaxy Gas is a brand of flavored whipped cream chargers that can be inhaled for a quick high. In Connecticut you must be 18+ to purchase.

Talk to your kids about the dangers of misusing these products, such as emotional dysregulation, dizziness, passing out, headaches, and irregular heart rhythm. Learn how to have these tough conversations using our It's Not Cheesy quiz at southingtonSTEPS.org/family ... See MoreSee Less

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Southington STEPS Coalition
1 month ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

Another amazing day in the books, this time at the CT Youth Services Association (CYSA) Annual Conference! We are proud beyond words of our Youth Peer Advocates Margaret, Ava, and Katie for presenting about the It’s Not Cheesy campaign that @stepsyouthcouncil developed last year!

STEPS is fortunate to have many youth leaders, including six current and former Youth Peer Advocates - paid positions with the coalition to spearhead Youth Council and other efforts at SHS. Stay tuned for the special things Paige, Ava, and Katie will be leading this year! ... See MoreSee Less

Another amazing day in the books, this time at the CT Youth Services Association (CYSA) Annual Conference! We are proud beyond words of our Youth Peer Advocates Margaret, Ava, and Katie for presenting about the It’s Not Cheesy campaign that @stepsyouthcouncil developed last year! STEPS is fortunate to have many youth leaders, including six current and former Youth Peer Advocates - paid positions with the coalition to spearhead Youth Council and other efforts at SHS. Stay tuned for the special things Paige, Ava, and Katie will be leading this year!Image attachment
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Congratulations and well done!

Great job!

Awesome!!!

Excellent!

Southington STEPS Coalition
1 month ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

We are grateful that we got to spend today learning from and celebrating with our friends in prevention!

Today was the annual CT Prevention Summit, bringing together prevention professionals and partners from substance misuse, behavioral health, treatment, suicide, gambling, education, and more. #preventionhappensherect ... See MoreSee Less

We are grateful that we got to spend today learning from and celebrating with our friends in prevention! Today was the annual CT Prevention Summit, bringing together prevention professionals and partners from substance misuse, behavioral health, treatment, suicide, gambling, education, and more. #preventionhappensherect
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Thanks to all of you for making Southington a leader in prevention! Keep up the great work!

Such beautiful ladies doing their great work in the community. So proud of all you 👍

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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