Teen ADAP Coalition

ADAP TEEN COALITION SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL!

On July 22, 2008, Santa Barbara City Council adopted a City-wide Social Host Ordinance that holds hosts civilly liable for providing a location for underage drinking.

The Youth Leaders of the ADAP Teen Coalition led the campaign, working with the Santa Barbara Youth Council, Fighting Back, Friday Night Live and Future Leaders of America to be the first youth group successful in changing public policy.

For a copy of the new City of Santa Barbara Social Host ordinance, click here.
For more information about the Social Host Ordinance in general and the efforts to pass a County-wide ordinance, click here.

What is ADAP?
The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention (ADAP) Teen Coalition is a team of students who work together to reduce underage access to alcohol and drugs in the community. ADAP Teen Coalition is in its sixth year of youth-led action and prevention.

How do they do it?
The approach used by ADAP Youth Leaders to combat youth acc to drugs and drug use is called Environmental Prevention. It addresses the setting in which substance use and abuse takes place: our community.

What Environmental Prevention Does:
Focuses on the community
Looks at how the environment effects individuals' decisions
Looks at broader solutions to alcohol and other drugs like public policy
Examines the cultural, political and economic dynamics that lead to alcohol and drug use

What Environmental Prevention Does Not Do:
Focuses on the individual
Works directly with addiction and/or recovery
Advocates for prohibition
Blames youth for underage drinking

Who are the ADAP Youth Leaders:
Youth Leaders are students from local high schools who want to make a positive difference in their communities.

What training do I need?
ADAP members receive training in leadership development, public speaking, event planning, working with the media and public policy.

I’m real busy with school; how much time do I need to commit to in a week?
You must attend a two-hour weekly meeting and participate in community service projects and/or training for a total of 5 hours per week.

What else do I need to know?
Teens who are interested in being part of ADAP can earn community service hours and cash incentives.

Cool, when are the meetings held?
Meetings are held weekly after school at 4pm at the Twelve35 Teen Center, located at 1235 Chapala Street.

"The Youth Speak Outs provide a place for teens to address topics that are important to us in a safe place where your opinion is important!"
- Art, 4 yr. member of ADAP

"It's a win-win situation; ADAP teaches students teamwork, leadership and how to make positive choices. The community service credit is great too!"
- Mr. D, High School Teacher

"ADAP Youth Leaders worked tirelessly to advocate for the Social Host Ordinance demonstrating that our youth are community leaders”
- City Council Member

This program is made possible through a grant from the County of Santa Barbara Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Services, Prevention Programs.