We help youth “Take Charge” of their lives by making the choice to stay nicotine, drug, and alcohol free. Nicotine and other drugs, including alcohol, can harm a person physically, mentally, even financially. When youth “Take Charge” of their minds and bodies they can steer clear of the harmful and addictive effects of these substances.
“Take Charge” includes a series of group-based sessions for Fairfax County youth ages 10 – 19 years old available to:
- School groups in public, private and alternative schools
- Faith- and Community-Based Organizations
- Teen and Community Centers
Learn more about the CATCH My Breath program. There is no cost to participate.
Upon request, we can provide additional content on other drugs to our existing programs or provide presentations on drug use prevention.
“Take Charge” is a free program offered by the Prevention Unit of NCS and is available to youth-serving organizations. The “Take Charge” program is presented at youth-serving organizations' service sites. For questions or to start your own “Take Charge” group, email NCS-TakeCharge@fairfaxcounty.gov, or call 703-324-5213, TTY 711. NCS does not enroll individuals in the program. If you are looking for a substance use prevention program for an individual, please contact the youth's school social worker for available options. Additional information for individual treatment is available by contacting the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) at 703-383-8500, TTY 711. “Take Charge” is a grant-funded program through the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth.