The Spring Mills High School (SMHS) chapter of Drug-Free Youth WV is dedicated to creating a positive, drug-free environment through impactful events, proactive initiatives, and regular student engagement. With a focus on fostering a strong sense of community, SMHS students have taken the lead in promoting healthy lifestyles and addressing substance misuse in meaningful and innovative ways.
EDUCATE. PREVENT. REDUCE STIGMA.
Positively Transforming Schools
The mission of the youth coalition is to educate, prevent, and reduce stigma of substance use disorders.
EMPOWER.
Positively Transforming Families
The mission of The Martinsburg Initiative is to prevent substance use disorders, build strong families, and empower the Martinsburg community through a strong police, school, community, health, and education partnership. The program is based on the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which can show how early childhood experiences shape the lives of adults.
Drug-Free Youth Coalition
The Spring Mills High School (SMHS) chapter of Drug-Free Youth WV is dedicated to promoting a positive, drug-free environment through impactful events, proactive initiatives, and regular student engagement. Their efforts have inspired hundreds of students to commit to healthier lifestyles while fostering a strong sense of community.
Signature Events
A dynamic event with 1,000 attendees, energizing the school community and reinforcing the coalition’s mission.
A record-breaking initiative with 1,600 participants, empowering students to commit to a drug-free lifestyle.
Cardinals Connect Meetings
Regularly held Cardinals Connect Meetings engage students and staff, building momentum for the coalition’s goals. Recent attendance highlights include:
- Sept. 6, 2024: 100 attendees
- Sept. 13, 2024: 80 attendees
- Sept. 20, 2024: 80 attendees
- Sept. 27, 2024: 60 attendees
- Oct. 4, 2024: 50 attendees
- Oct. 25, 2024: 53 attendees
Creative and Community-Focused Initiatives
Encouraged creativity and community support.
Supported the TMI Community Closet with essential donations.
Combined festive fun with substance prevention messaging.
Youth Summit Opportunity
In November, students attended a one-day Youth Summit led by CADCA trainer Joe Markiewicz. The summit focused on substance misuse prevention and empowering youth to lead healthy, drug-free lives.
Youth-Led Advocacy and Leadership
The coalition emphasizes youth leadership, with students taking an active role in shaping prevention strategies:
Karissa Sood shared, “When adults listen to us, they grasp a genuine understanding of what’s going on in our lives and what pushes us to use harmful drugs. That way, they can develop strategies that make sense to us and address our issues.”
According to Alicha Sy, president of the Spring Mills Coalition, the chapter’s focus is on community engagement and positive affirmations. With plans to expand outreach efforts to middle schools, the coalition aims to foster early prevention and build a foundation for healthier futures.
Inspiring a Commitment to a Drug-Free Lifestyle
Through their proactive approach, impactful events, and youth-led advocacy, the SMHS chapter of Drug-Free Youth WV continues to inspire students to take pride in living a drug-free life while building a stronger, healthier school community.
WHAT IS A COALITION?
An alliance of individuals, groups, or organizations that come together to achieve a common goal.
The Martinsburg Initiative Drug-Free WV Coalition depends on the support of its community partners.
