We Bring Southington Together to Build Assets and Prevent Substance Misuse

Our Mission

STEPS makes prevention a priority in our community through education, limiting access, and advocacy for policy change.

Our prevention work focuses on underage drinking, tobacco/vaping, cannabis/marijuana use, prescription drug misuse, and more. We believe that positive youth development is an essential building block to create generations of youth that are caring, competent, successful, and substance free.

Our Focus on Youth

STEPS was founded in 2007 with a mission to help our youth grow up to be caring, competent and successful. We develop programs and opportunities for young people to step up and showcase their best selves.

STEPS partners with Southington Public Schools to follow an Asset Building Classrooms (ABC) model. We also have STEPS Youth Council leadership opportunities, a youth community service initiative, and a classroom-based curriculum to improve student health and safety.

STEPS Youth Council

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Stay informed about our latest prevention efforts, news, and events.

Our Prevention Efforts

Our work in Southington to keep young people healthy and safe is a top priority. Data shows that substance use at a young age can lead to:

  • Higher suicide risk
  • Long-term substance use disorders
  • Mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, psychosis)
  • Poor school performance (lower grades, absenteeism)
  • Physical health issues (diseases, injuries)
  • Risky behaviors
  • Social and economic impacts (damaged relationships, missed career opportunities)

All these reasons are why substance use prevention among young people is so important. Take a moment to learn more about our work in Southington right now.

Areas of Focus

In both youth and adults, the perceptions around the risk of marijuana use has decreased dramatically. This is true not only in Connecticut but all over the United States. Some of this shift is in response to changes in social policies and laws.

It is risky to misuse prescription medications or obtain medications that are not provided by a doctor or other medical professional. This is a main cause of preventable overdoses.

Although tobacco use among youth in Southington is decreasing  – only 7% of Southington teens report using tobacco products – the usage of vaping products is on the rise.

Many activities have ages when young people can safely start them. A person must wait until age 16 to start driving, age 18 to marry without parental consent, age 35 to become president, and so on. The legal age to drink is 21 for a reason – it is based on research that shows young people react differently to alcohol.

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Southington STEPS Coalition
3 weeks ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

This morning we sat down with other coalitions in our region at Amplify, Inc. to share updates and ideas. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Amplify provided each coalition with a 988 sign to display. Can you spot ours on this bulletin board in the hallway at the Municipal Center? ... See MoreSee Less

This morning we sat down with other coalitions in our region at Amplify, Inc. to share updates and ideas. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Amplify provided each coalition with a 988 sign to display. Can you spot ours on this bulletin board in the hallway at the Municipal Center?Image attachment
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Southington STEPS Coalition is attending an event.
3 weeks ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

We are exactly one month away from the annual Red Ribbon Rally! Join STEPS and the Southington Drug Task Force on Thursday, October 16 for this celebration of making healthy choices!

Teams, clubs, and organizations will take the stage alongside their coaches or advisors to share a prevention message - the inspirational “why” behind the group’s choice to focus on the positive. Sign up at bit.ly/RRR-2025. ... See MoreSee Less

We are exactly one month away from the annual Red Ribbon Rally! Join STEPS and the Southington Drug Task Force on Thursday, October 16 for this celebration of making healthy choices! Teams, clubs, and organizations will take the stage alongside their coaches or advisors to share a prevention message - the inspirational “why” behind the group’s choice to focus on the positive. Sign up at bit.ly/RRR-2025.
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Southington STEPS Coalition is with Southington Community YMCA.
3 weeks ago
Southington STEPS Coalition

Remember “this is your brain on drugs” with the frying pan and eggs? 🍳 Well, this is your lungs on nicotine. 🫁

These are pig lungs infected with disease that can happen to humans who vape or smoke. Today we displayed them at the southingtoncommunityymca during their informational lung cancer screening event with hartfordhealthcare. ... See MoreSee Less

Remember “this is your brain on drugs” with the frying pan and eggs? 🍳 Well, this is your lungs on nicotine. 🫁 These are pig lungs infected with disease that can happen to humans who vape or smoke. Today we displayed them at the southingtoncommunityymca during their informational lung cancer screening event with hartfordhealthcare.
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