San Antonio Council on Alcohol & Drug Awarerness

The San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness (SACADA) has a vision of a Safe and Thriving Community. Since 1957, SACADA has focused on prevention, intervention, and recovery support services for children and adults. SACADA serves Bexar and 28 surrounding counties (Texas Public Health Region 8). The mission is “Empowering our community to live healthy lives; by providing prevention, intervention, and recovery support services for children and adults.”

Did you know?

• The average age of first use of substances in Bexar county is 13 years old
• 87% of children removed from their home by Child Protective Services are due to parent/caretaker drug use
• Children who experience trauma are more likely to develop a substance use disorder as an adult
• One in 7 people in the United States is expected to develop a substance use disorder at some point in their lives and only 1 in 10 will receive any type of treatment

Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health states “it is critical to prevent misuse from starting and to identify those who have already begun to misuse these substances and intervene early.”

SACADA provides:

Evidence-based prevention curriculum, taught in schools and through presentations to children ages 6-18. It is reported that children who suffered adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) are at a higher risk for mental health and substance use problems. It is imperative to work with children, beginning at an early age, to teach them social and emotional behavioral skills to learn to deal with stressors and peer pressure in their day-to-day life.

Recovery Support Services to help engage and support people completing a formal recovery program. The Recovery Coaches, all in long-term recovery themselves, help their mentees navigate the systems of care, remove barriers to recovery, help with housing and employment, teach them to learn to live without substance use, and stay engaged in the recovery process.

Prevention Resource Center, which provides the most current data and statistics specific to the region and relevant to risk and protective factors associated with substance use.

Four community coalitions made up of concerned community members, working together to prevent youth substance use. It takes the strengths and resources of a whole community working together to have the greatest impact. The coalitions partner with stakeholders representing education, government, law enforcement, prevention, treatment and recovery providers, youth, parents, faith-based, civic organizations, media, and business. Each coalition focuses on community mobilization and changing policies and social norms to prevention underage drinking, tobacco and nicotine use, marijuana use, and prescription drug use among youth adults in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and Kendall counties.

Ongoing education classes are provided for youth and adults whose lifestyle choices have put them at risk for a substance use disorder. SACADA is a certified provider of the DWI Education Course and the Alcohol Awareness Course (Minor is Possession) by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration. These classes are held every month. The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Education Program (ADAEP) is a 10-week drug intervention education program for adults 18 and older, designed to educate on like skills, substance use disorder, and healthy behaviors. New to the program is a Marijuana Education Awareness Course. To find out costs, visit www.sacada.org.

First Friday Workshops for professionals in the substance use disorder field, but open to the public. Experts from various backgrounds present on topics such as addiction, drug trends, mental health issues, etc. Each workshop is 3-hours, earning the participant a 3-hour CEH.

SACADA knows prevention is key and recovery is possible. Youth Prevention Specialist and Recovery Support Coaches are available to help.

Contact:
VADAMS@SACADA.ORG
(210) 225-4741

Partners play an important role in fostering healthy local communities through support and education. Learn more about partnership opportunities.