Event Description
Vision:
To create a community environment that embraces prevention of teen substance use – and encourages constant reassessment of current conditions.
Mission:
Step Up of St. Louis is a non-profit organization which exists to provide education and resources to prevent substance use/misuse among area teens.
Case Statement:
“How do I know if my teen has a problem?” “How can I protect my teen from making poor choices?” “My child is out of control. Where do I turn for help?” “How can I help my community combat the national drug crisis?”
These are questions we field daily at Step Up of St. Louis – and these are the questions every organization working to prevent tragedies related to substance misuse struggles to answer. What can we do as a community to protect our kids from making that one life altering decision, from taking that one drink, swallowing that one pill or from following that one friend who will lead them down a dangerous road? Most importantly – what do we do when our kid makes a bad choice? How do we show them that we love them and guide them onto a better path?
At Step Up of St. Louis we believe these issues are best answered as a community. Our families are stronger when our culture is one of support, love and constant growth. It is only through consistent education, love and acceptance that we will see significant change. We can only evaluate ourselves by looking at the best and the brightest kids – do they actively work to give back, treat their less fortunate peers with respect? Do successful adults in our community share resources with other families? As a whole does our community work together to improve systems and celebrate successes of our leaders? What are we doing to support our peers who struggle?
Step Up of St. Louis has been working in the St. Louis County community for the last 7 years and remains the ONLY coalition focused on the reduction of teen substance misuse in the South St. Louis County area. In September of 2017 our organization was the fortunate recipient of funds through the Drug Free Communities program of the ONDCP, and has utilized this support to increase efforts in our area. We are constantly focused on how we can work together to do better for our kids and help them grow to be strong, resilient members of society.
It is no secret that St. Louis (and our nation) is in a crisis. Drug related deaths continue to rise each year. In 2017 alone 617 deaths in our area were attributed to opioid overdose, over 70,000 nationally. Funding for interventions like narcan and substance treatment programs have been expanded (on a limited basis) but have done little to slow the number of overdose deaths.
Step Up of St. Louis is committed to finding innovative solutions and reaching our community children before these life-long addictions begin. Join us in our work to make true sustainable change!
