Substance Use Prevention

Building up
a healthy community.

Our youth and families come together to share the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent substance use and its harmful effects.

Awareness and action on substance use education.

We’re here to create health equity for everyone in our community. To get there, we create safe spaces in which middle and high school students discuss substance use and its harmful effects. From workshops on coping and refusal strategies to campaign projects that promote healthy lifestyles, our evidence-based curriculum engages both parents and youth to learn about the harms of tobacco and cannabis. Our programs encourage youth leadership as we believe in the power of the youth to be the change they want to see.

Substance Use Prevention Youth Groups

Come as you are to learn, share
and grow.

Friday Night Live (FNL) for High School Students
Building partnerships between youth and adults is essential for positive and healthy youth development. We foster that partnership through training, workshops, and trusted networks here. Together, we carry out campaigns and projects to promote healthy lifestyles among our peers and communities.

Club Live (CL) for Middle School Students
With hands-on activities and project development for youth with learning outcomes about substance abuse and healthy lifestyles. Youth participants build leadership skills and engage in hands-on activities to improve their community.

FNL Kids (FNLK) for Students in Grades 4-6
At this young age, we help youth develop their life skills. We focus on addressing peer pressure, establishing healthy relationships, and living healthy lifestyles. With opportunities to work on community-wide projects focusing on health promotion, the youth hone their leadership skills and practice community awareness.

“Friday Night Live is more than community engagement. In the center of our programs and schools, we are one big team that works hard to provide smiles, bring a sense of togetherness, and establish bonds that will last a very long time between our youth to better our community.”

Cesar Velazquez

Familia Adelante

This school-based program helps students and families improve their day-to-day lives. With sessions focusing on either parents or students, we use evidence-based programs to provide education and support on substance use prevention and sexual education related to substance use. Together, we identify feelings and stress factors and work to develop positive coping skills, ultimately strengthening ties within families. 

Familia Adelante student sessions are implemented at middle and high school sites during school hours. Parent sessions can be implemented before, during, or after school hours and can be conducted on-site or virtually.

Tobacco Endgame

We’re here to stop the growth of the tobacco industry.

By 2035, the California Department of Public Health seeks to end the influence and harm of tobacco on our communities, which the industry has disproportionately targeted. Our Substance Use Prevention team is partnered with the Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition and other local organizations to carry out a policy campaign across Hayward, Union City, and San Leandro. Through policy, system, and environmental change strategies, we aim for local council members to adopt a more comprehensive Tobacco Retailing License or ban the sale of tobacco altogether. 

We’re winning big to keep our community healthy. Click here to stay up to date.

Hayward

Tobacco Retail License Ordinance in July 2020 to include a ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, vaping products, parts, etc., effective January 14, 2021.

Union City

The 2010 Tobacco Retail License Ordinance requires retailers to carry a valid local Tobacco Retail License following state and federal laws that ban flavored tobacco. Currently, Eden Youth and our Youth Advisory Council are pushing Union City Council members to ban the sale of all vapes and e-cigarettes.

San Leandro

Tobacco Retail License Ordinance was adopted in 2022, which includes a ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products and menthol sales.

Resources

Knowledge and support for a healthier future.

Youth Volunteers Needed!

Do you want to make a difference in health equity and access in your community? Are you curious about the policy-making process and want to advocate for change? Learn more about how we’re working to protect and better our community and make your voice heard!

Come as you are; no experience is necessary. We provide training and incentives for your time. Youth are highly encouraged to participate, but we are happy for all community members to join.

Thank you to our Substance Use Program’s funders