The Westchester County Office of Drug Prevention and STOP-DWI works with local schools, governments, police, and treatment centers to develop programs to minimize alcohol- and other drug-related traffic injuries and fatalities. These programs are funded with money from fines paid by people convicted of DWI offenses. Below is a sampling of our participation:
- ROADD project (Reduce our Adolescents Drinking, Drugging and Driving): Student Assistance Services provide high school health educators with information on the hazardous effects of alcohol and other drugs on their driving and on their lives. This project stresses the development of alternatives to drinking and drugging.
- Local school official assistance to set up chapters of Students Against Destructive Decisions, working closely with SADD leadership throughout the year and sponsoring a county-wide workshop each spring.
- Middle and high school conferences that focus on alternatives to alcohol and other drug use, leadership training, and development of cooperation among schools.
- Local officer training:
- The Westchester County Alcohol and Other Drugs College Consortium works with the county's colleges to devise strategies for reducing alcohol and drug use on campuses.
- A rich array of youth services are offered through the Department of Community Mental Health.