Preventing Underage Drinking
Underage drinking remains one of the most common forms of substance use among youth and can have serious short- and long-term health consequences. Alcohol can affect the developing brain, increasing the risk of problems with memory, learning, decision-making, and mental health. It can also contribute to risky behaviors, injuries, impaired driving, and alcohol poisoning.
Each year, SAFE youth lead projects that educate their peers and the community about the risks of underage drinking. Through youth-led public service announcements (PSAs), social media campaigns, community events, and educational outreach, students share facts about alcohol use and encourage healthy, substance-free choices.
Prevention Materials
SAFE’s Adult Coalition includes representatives from organizations across Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties who work together to reduce youth substance use and promote healthy, substance-free communities.
Coalition-led initiatives include distributing prescription drug lock boxes to help families safely secure medications and other substances, providing alcohol, THC, and nicotine test kits for parents, supplying Deterra® bags for safe medication disposal, and offering alcohol bottle locks and tamper-evident strips to help prevent youth access to alcohol.
In 2025, SAFE also partnered with local schools through the Concessions Project, providing popcorn bags and napkins featuring youth substance use prevention messages for use at athletic events and other school activities.
During 2024, SAFE focused on increasing access to alcohol and drug prevention resources by providing these materials at no cost to community members. Through community events and outreach efforts, SAFE reached nearly 1,800 individuals by distributing:
- Prescription drug lock boxes
- Alcohol bottle locks
- Alcohol, THC, and nicotine test kits
- Alcohol tamper-evident strips
- Deterra® medication disposal bags
Youth PSAs
