About us
Our mission is to mobilize the entire community to reduce the use of drugs, tobacco and underage drinking in Rome and Floyd County. FAD collaborates with local agencies to provide prevention education on substance use and abuse to parents and other community members.
OUR MISSION
EDUCATION.
MOBILIZATION.
COOPERATION.
WHO WE ARE
FAD is a 501c3 non-profit organization and has historically been a volunteer coalition governed by a Board of Directors.
FAD was founded in 2000 by Annette Morris, a Floyd County School counselor, due to an unmet student need for drug education and counseling. Interested community members and professionals came together to promote more education about the consequences of drug use. A number of national speakers were brought in to speak to both parents and youth. FAD also advocated for more youth substance abuse treatment programs.
In 2015, FAD was awarded a 5 year federal Drug Free Coalitions Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Over the years, FAD's activities have included participation in health fairs, prescription drug collection events, Red Ribbon Week activities in local schools, and the creation of a Drug Buster trailer to help parents recognize signs of drug abuse in teens.
WHAT WE DO
FAD collaborates with other community providers, law enforcement, schools, youth and interested community members to ensure the community is aware of the local drug issues and how we can work together to reduce substance abuse. The two most widely used drugs among youth in Floyd County, other than tobacco, are alcohol and marijuana according to the Georgia Student Health Survey conducted in the schools.
The prevention activities that will be conducted through the grant include the following:
Sticker Shock Campaign
Sticker shock targets adult purchasers of alcohol and is specifically intended to reach adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. Posters and stickers on plastic bags are provided to the liquor stores as a reminder to adults that providing alcohol to minors is a criminal offense. Billboard messages are also utilized at the same time.
Positive Social Norms Campaign
The social norms approach to behavior change focuses on the perceptions of peer attitudes. Each person’s attitudes and behaviors are influenced by their perception of their peers’ attitudes and behavior. The reality that most young people do not engage in alcohol and drug use is promoted through positive posters and social media images which are developed with the help of youth.
Social Hosting Awareness Campaign
A public awareness program to educate the community and parents about the health and safety risks of serving or providing alcohol at teen parties. The materials used are titled “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most”. The campaign materials will be posted and distributed near prom and graduation times.
Marijuana Education for Both Youth and Adults
Educational materials will be distributed at various events to educate about the consequences of marijuana use, particularly on the developing teen brain. Parent booklets on how to talk to teens about marijuana will also available.
Red Ribbon Drug Awareness
Every October is set aside for drug awareness in the schools. The week of October 23-31 is designated as Red Ribbon Week but awareness activities occur throughout the month. FAD provides student incentives to all grades to help the teachers promote the drug prevention messages.
The first Red Ribbon Week was initiated in 1985 in response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena. Angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America. Red Ribbon Week continues to serve as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Visit www.redribbon.org for more information.
Participation in the Teen Maze
Ninth graders in the community attend the Teen Maze in the fall. This is a life-sized game of life that lets youth experience the consequences of decisions about sex, alcohol and other drugs and how it impacts their education and future goals. FAD members participate in the Rehab Center station within the Maze and provide drug and alcohol information to the youth.
Drug Drop Event
FAD partners with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department for the annual Drug Drop Off event. The purpose of the event is to get unused and expired prescriptions out of circulation, and to keep them out of the landfill and our water supply. This also helps to reduce prescription abuse.