Between mid-August and mid-September, DFYIT will stage kick-off events and sign-ups on each high school and junior high school campus in the Santa Clarita Valley. Heading into the new school year, Drug Free Youth in Town, commonly known as DFYIT, is looking to build on success experienced in the inaugural year. These successes were measurable, and parents may want to strongly consider talking to their kids about the merits of joining the club.
For the 2012/2013 school year, not only were kids engaged, having fun and learning important leadership skills; they were thriving in a drug-free environment with their peers. Out of the over 800 participants, 100 percent of them were drug free for the entire school year.
In addition to remaining drug-free, DFYIT members completed over 2,400 hours of community service projects and took their message to over 24,000 high school and junior high school students. A pilot program also saw select DFYIT members go to elementary schools where over 1,000 sixth graders learned the values embraced by the program.
DFYIT is a club for youth, run by youth. In the DFYIT program, school club advisors and city staff work with teen leaders (club officers) on local high school and junior high school campuses to develop, coordinate, and supervise events, community service projects and educational workshops.
One key component of the club is random drug testing. Drug tests are administered to club members throughout the year and remaining drug free is a mandatory part of club membership. The goal is to have club members say “no” to drugs because they want to remain a member of the club. Random drug testing also give teens an easy way out if they find themselves in a situation where those around them offer them drugs.
Some of the highlights last year included a youth summit, Dodge Drugs dodge ball tournament, on-campus activities, a year-end celebration and the Summer Splash event at the City’s Aquatics Center.
There are already a host of great events and projects planned for the upcoming school year. Besides the proven track record of helping to keep kids drug free in Santa Clarita and other communities, DFYIT is about making friends, learning leadership skills and thriving in a positive peer group.
For more information, visit the program online at: www.DFYITSCV.com.