Printer
TextTake Charge - Be Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Free
Why Be Drug-Free
-
Each year in the U.S. tobacco-related deaths outnumber deaths from AIDS, car accidents, murders, suicides and fires combined.
-
Lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of death among females.
-
Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Smoking causes many diseases and reduces the overall health of smokers.
-
Before the age of 21, drinking alcohol on a regular basis or binge drinking will stunt the development of the liver and the brain.
-
Using drugs can lead to abuse, addictions, serious health problems and even death.
-
Although students in Fairfax County report lower rates of smoking cigarettes than students nationally, the percentage more than doubles for each grade level surveyed from 0.5% of 6th-graders up through 12.8% of 12th-graders.
- Almost 1 in 5 (19%) of 12th-graders in Fairfax County report using marijuana.
-
Inhalant use in Fairfax County was above the national average among 8th- – 12th- graders.
Fairfax County Youth Survey Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use Presentation
Fairfax County Youth Survey Drug Use Fact Sheet
Quick Links
What is "Take Charge"
"Take Charge" is a free alcohol, tobacco and other drug use prevention program for youth ages 10 - 19 offered by Neighborhood and Community Services, Prevention. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can harm a person physically, mentally, spiritually and even financially. That is why today's youth need to "Take Charge" of their minds and bodies to avoid the control that substances can have over their lives.
Project Towards No Tobacco Use (TNT) and
Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND).
The best solution to the drug problem
is education.
Cost
The program is FREE and all participants receive:
- Prevention Materials
- Pledge Cards
- Anti-tobacco/Anti-drug branded incentives
- Certificate of Completion
Program Information
Take Charge is being implemented in:
- Public, Private and Alternative Schools
- Faith-Based Organizations
- Teen and Community Centers
- Youth Outpatient or Residential Programs
Find out more about starting or joining an existing group, or how to become trained as a Take Charge facilitator.
Email
NCS-TakeCharge@fairfaxcounty.gov orCall the Virginia for Healthy Youth Foundation Prevention Specialist at 703-324-5213, TTY 711.
Accommodations can be made for group size, knowledge level, group focus, or ability level. Requests must be made 10 days prior to the start of the program.
Take Charge is a grant-funded program underwritten by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. These resources ensure the continuation of the alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse prevention program through June 30, 2012.
Website Survey 