Mission
As an organization, our vision is to create effective, proven solutions to one of the biggest crises affecting our state and country today- substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders among youth. 3 out of 10 middle school students and 8 out of 10 high school students have used substances at some time in their lives. 90% of adults with a reported substance use disorder began experimenting with nicotine, drugs, or alcohol before the age of 15. Data from CDC?s National Center for Health Statistics (2024): 15% of high school students reported having ever used select illicit or injection drugs, such as cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy. 14% of students reported misusing prescription opioids. Injection drug use places youth at direct risk for HIV, and drug use places youth at risk of overdose. Youth opioid use is directly linked to sexual risk behaviors. 10.9% of eighth graders, 19.8% of 10th graders, and 31.2% of 12th graders reported any il