Students Against Destructive Decisions has been working all year to improve the Manhattan High School community and the Riley County community.
“We mostly just make people aware of drugs and alcohol and keep them away from it, or try to,” junior Madeline Ireton said.
Many of the SADD members joined the club to be with others that think like them and care about helping real people with real-world problems. Students in SADD will find themselves working on awareness campaigns and preventative educational initiatives.
SADD will go to the two middle schools every spring and fall to teach the middle school kids about how harmful drugs and alcohol can be. They often do breakout groups to teach the kids about the harmful things about drugs and alcohol. During these presentations, club members lead stations using various activities from Kahoots to looking at signs and advertisements. Students analyze the signs and symbols to predict what the intention of the ad is. By doing these activities the club aims to help students to understand the negative side effects of drugs before it may be too late.
“Our other station is based on scenarios that the middle schools will identify as problem areas that they’re having with a specific class liike the entire graduating class,” SADD sponsor Alyssa Frey said.
SADD also hosts a pledge event where kids pledge to not drive intoxicated, to not do drugs and to wear their seat belts.
“Then from everyone who’s pledged we draw somewhere between 10 and 15 names at random and then those people enter to win either gift cards or we’ve given a car safety kit away before, and things of that nature,” Frey said.
SADD also plans activities for the high school around Red Ribbon Week. This week happens yearly in October and is a part of a national campaign to raise awareness about destructive decisions.
SADD is very open to new members and would love to have more student members. The club is passionate about helping others learn about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The goal is to promote a healthy and enjoyable life both now and in the future in Riley county and beyond.
“Come join us,” Frey said. “You can stop by my office E134 anytime, my door is open and we can talk about it, or you can reach out to any of our officers, or club members.”
