News Release
For Immediate Release: August 26, 2009
Contact Person: Kathy Elliott, 301-334-7730
Garrett County Students Meet
With Legislators in D.C.
About the Safety of Young Drivers
Cutline: Local SADD members and advisors from the Garrett County Health Department pause during their busy schedule at the 2009 SADD National Conference in Washington DC . Pictured from left to right are Austin King, Chelsie Giron, Jessica Lane , Brenda Sisler (GCHD), Kecia Smith (GCHD), Sharon Menges (GCHD), Sarah Lambka, Kathy Elliott (GCHD), Laken Smith, and Rebecca Lee.
Leaders from the Garrett County SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapters met with Maryland Senators recently to discuss teen traffic safety issues.
The legislative visit was the conclusion of the four-day 2009 SADD National Conference, which brought together nearly 500 youth and adults in Washington, D.C., July 12-15 to share best practices in educating their peers and promoting positive decision-making.
As part of the SADD National Conference, youth leaders from Garrett County attended workshops aimed at providing students with information about topics critical to youth health and safety, such as underage drinking, teen violence and suicide, driving safety, diversity, and bullying. They participated in motivational activities and presentations aimed at exchanging new approaches and gathering ideas that they can now share with the community and develop into events for their SADD chapter.
A special focus of this year's conference was youth advocacy, and students learned about public policy and working with legislators to accomplish their goals. The conference is held in a different city each year to afford young people a new cultural experience. In Washington, D.C., this year, students were provided an opportunity to participant in a rally on Capitol Hill to promote youth health and safety issues.
“SADD students from our school are dedicated to helping our peers make safe, positive decisions,” said Chelsie Giron. “It was exciting to meet with other youth who share the same mission. We have learned a lot from each other.”
SADD, the nation's leading peer-to-peer youth education, prevention, and activism organization, is committed to empowering young people to lead initiatives in their schools and communities. Founded in 1981, today SADD has thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. SADD highlights prevention of many destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, other drug use, risky and impaired driving, and teen violence and suicide. More information about SADD can be found at sadd.org.