By Mariah Taylor ‘26
SADD is a club open to all grades at Conestoga Valley High School. Their main goal is to help students make positive choices in their lives related to safe driving. Another goal of SADD is bringing awareness to drugs and alcohol on the school campus. A third and final emphasis is bringing awareness to mental health.
SADD’s name stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions. While SADD is a club that informs, it is also a club that creates connections. This can happen if someone from a club member’s family has ever made a choice that has left a big impact on their life. That connection can help that student not make the same mistake.
Parker Book (12), a club officer, said, “The club helps to create a safe and inclusive environment for both the students in the club and the rest of the school.”
He added “High school students are some of the people that struggle the most with issues like drunk driving, underage drinking, and substance abuse.”
The article Basic Facts About SADD explains what SADD clubs at schools typically do. The author states, “Students Against Destructive Decisions is a school-based organization dedicated to addressing the issues of underage drinking, impaired driving, drug use, and other destructive decisions and killers of young people.”
The same article explains that “originally, the mission of the SADD chapter was to help young people say “No” to drinking and driving. Today, the mission has expanded.” SADD’s mission is to bring people together to stop peer pressure as well, since that is one of the main reasons why kids are getting into trouble.
In another article, Students Against Destructive Decisions, the author describes SADD as “a peer-to-peer education and prevention organization focused on helping children and young adults avoid illegal substances and harmful behaviors, including drunk driving, binge drinking, and violence.”
At CV, SADD hosts events throughout the school year, such as their stand at the community bonfire and a get-together before Christmas break called “Drink of the Season.” During the events, they engage with students and inform them on what the club is about. According to Book, “Drink of the Season” is his favorite event “because it is a fun way to kick off Christmas break.”
Book stated, “I have learned that I have a whole school that is able to help me if I ever feel like I need anything.”
To the many students of the SADD club, the club has had a positive impact on their school and social life. They have made memories while spreading awareness to others about the safe choices they should make.
Book said, “When people join a club, they should genuinely care about the club and want to participate in it. It also lets the club get everything it needs to done by using everyone in the club.”
SADD has a huge impact worldwide at schools, and it is starting to get more recognition. If you want to be a part of a positive change, join SADD!