Sadd and DECA

Bennett Dickison and Malia Borg

Students Against Destructive Decisions

I researched the missions and policies of the student
organized group SADD or Students Against Destructive
Decisions. This student organization was first created in order
to help teens abstain from underage drinking and illegal drug
use. The hope of SADD is to assist teens using teamwork.
The members band together to help their peers make healthy
and smart decisions regarding what they subject themselves
to. This group was founded because of the large accounts of
teen deaths due to substance abuse in 1981. SADDs
education program is privileged because they create an
environment for the students where it is their peers that come
up and deliver these possible life saving lessons. The driving
force behind SADD is student empowerment. The goal is for
students to be able to maintain control and make good
decisions in any environment where they might be pressured
into making a bad decision.

SADD Numbers & Requirements

7,500 + Chapters
52,650 Unique visitors and
speakers
350,000 students participating in
SADD chapters

You can find or contact them at this

address/number:
SADD National
255 Main Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
1-877-SADD-INC
Fax 1-508-481-5759

SADD chapters must have chapter leader

who is under the advisement and
jurisdiction of a state leader.
SADD National has developed a program
which selects the 20 most energetic and
talented SADD members from around the
country to serve as ambassadors at the
national headquarters.

NC and IL
North Carolina has over three hundred
affiliates with SADD. Their groups focus on
projects that help students stay aware;
such as seat belt checks, school wide
assemblies on highway safety, alcohol free
proms and graduations, and community
projects about the danger of drugs and
alcohol. North Carolina first began in a high
school in 1982 and now is present in many
middle schools, high schools, community
colleges and universities.

Illinois chapter of SADD

is also doing great things.
They focus on teens
texting or talking on the
phone while driving. They
have a great program of
DOME day where
hundreds of youth meet
at the state capital to
receive training in
advocacy and to inform
lawmakers about what
they are doing.

Pledges & How to Get Involved

I recognize that there are many potentially destructive decisions I face
every day and commit to you that I will do everything in my power to avoid
making decisions that will jeopardize my health, my safety and overall wellbeing, or your trust in me. I understand the dangers associated with the
use of alcohol and other drugs and the destructive behaviors often
associated with impairment. By signing below, I pledge my best effort to
remain free from alcohol and other drugs; I agree that I will never drive
under the influence; I agree that I will never ride with an impaired driver;
and I agree that I will always wear a seat belt. Finally, I agree to call you if I
am ever in a situation that threatens my safety and to communicate with
you regularly about issues of importance to both of us.

This is the pledge that middle schoolers and high

schoolers take when they join SADD.

To get involved in SADD talk to

a teacher or trusted adult and
get a group of peers that are
interested in these topics. Once
you have an organized group
you can register your chapter
here:

DECA- Distributive Education Clubs of America

DECA focuses on preparing students for jobs in fields
like marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
They have both high school and collegiate chapters.
DECA like many other student organizations tries to
help future leaders and entrepreneurs learn valuable
skills for the real world.

Membership
There are over 21,500 members in over 3500
high schools and 275 colleges.
South Carolina has a program and ways to
become a member.

California
California like all the other states has a
unique chapter.Their site was informative
and appealing. It had many activities that I
would be interested in competing in such as
Business Law & Ethics and it was in a group
division.

Indiana Chapter
Their site had many things on the homepage
like a schedule and the winners of state.
I also found information about how to start a
chapter and the steps I would need to take.

Competition
The highest level of
competition in DECA
is the International
Career Development
Conference or ICDC.
This year, it is in
Orlando, Florida in
April.

South Carolina has a

countdown on their
website.
Countdown

DECA
DECA is a great organization that helps
members be prepared for the business
world. It gives kids a clear advantage.

DECA has been around for nearly 70 years

and it will be around for even more time.

Sources
http://www.deca.org/
http://www.southcarolinadeca.org/
http://www.indianadeca.org/
http://www.californiadeca.org/