Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth is the state’s leading organization working to end underage alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Founded in 1997 with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation administered by the American Medical Association, the statewide coalition builds on the strengths and successes of its longtime identity, Texans Standing Tall, while bringing new focus and energy to its mission of creating healthier and safer communities.

TxSDY has pioneered efforts with community and non-profit organizations, state and local governments, schools, and families across the state. The organization is the state’s leading authority on evidence-based approaches to preventing youth alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Through training, research, advocacy, and grassroots mobilization, TxSDY directly impacts youth and policy across Texas.

In the past 20 years alone, TxSDY has worked with more than X coalitions and with thousands of Texas families statewide. Each year, TxSDY organizes its Youth Leadership Council, providing selected Texas Youth a voice in advocacy efforts and training in community engagement, prevention strategies, and other leadership skills. Additionally, the organization’s work includes:

• Regional Policy Forums – mobilization of local and state-level participants to reduce underage drinking in a coordinated and strategic way. TxSDY evaluates each forum to assess impact, knowledge transfer, participant demographics, and perceptions and attitudes related to alcohol and other drug use in the community;
• Community Regional Trainings – collaborative meetings to and organize communities in preventing underage drinking, tobacco, cannabis, and other drug use;
• Reports – original issue briefs, research findings, and other content to advance prevention policies; and
• Resources and Online Tools – informative materials for parents, campuses, and communities to access in their local efforts.