The County of Santa Cruz Substance Use Disorder Prevention Unit works to empower individuals, families and communities to prevent substance use disorders and support a healthy and safe community. This work is done through meaningful youth-adult partnerships, education, collaboration and coalition building.

Prevention Services Objectives

Substance Use Disorder Prevention Programs

  • Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live Partnership
    • Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live Partnership includes Friday Night Live for high-school students and Club Live for middle school students. These programs are multicultural and youth driven. They’re designed to prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among young people.
  • Impaired Driving Traffic Safety Program
    • The Impaired Driving Traffic Safety Program aims to reduce the number of people killed in impaired driving crashes caused by people driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or other drugs. It also aims to reduce DUI frequency through educational, prevention and enforcement programs.
  • Thriving Youth and Community
    • The Thriving Youth and Community program provides support for cannabis prevention, intervention and cessation for middle and high school students who are either at risk of using cannabis or are currently using cannabis. The program aims to support youth well-being, foster connection between youth and their school and community, and reduce disciplinary incidents. The program also educates and trains adults on how to support youth and build resiliency.

Prevention Resources and Community Groups

  • Community Prevention Partners is a coalition of individuals and organizations that mobilize for policy and environmental change to improve community health and safety in Santa Cruz County. The program focuses on preventing substance use disorders and related consequences by reducing youth substance use.
  • SafeRx Santa Cruz County is a local substance use safety coalition comprised of entities dedicated to creating best practice guidelines to reduce death from opioid and other substances. SafeRx works toward a healthy, thriving, safe, equitable Santa Cruz County through prevention, increased treatment access (particularly with proven-effective and promising medications for treating substance abuse) and evidence-based, harm reduction practices, to improve community well-being and save lives.

Friday Night Live Partnership
 

Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live Partnership includes Friday Night Live for high-school students and Club Live for middle school students. The multicultural and youth-driven programs are designed to prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among young people. 

Youth participate in weekly meetings (on their school campus or online) and lead community service projects designed to improve their school and the wider community.

Friday Night Live & Club Live youth:

  • Learn leadership and advocacy skills
  • Develop meaningful partnerships with caring adults
  • Engage in community activities and events
  • Build knowledge of community issues and resources
  • Create meaningful change in their community

Participation in Friday Night Live and Club Live empowers young people and supports them in making healthy choices free of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Call us at 831-454-5483 (LIVE) to learn more.

Thriving Youth and Community Program

Working together to build schools and communities where youth can thrive!

OUR GOAL:

To improve youth wellbeing by strengthening connection to their community and school, expanding their knowledge about cannabis to make better decisions and providing restorative and healing alternatives to suspension.

SERVICES FOR YOUTH:

We offer trauma-informed, evidence-based, culturally and developmentally responsive supports for middle and high school youth aged 12–18. Tiered pathways empower youth to make informed decisions about cannabis use, build resilience, and engage natural support systems to foster long-term success.

There are three pathways:

  • PREVENTION: Cannabis Education and Building Support Systems
    • Available as a series of workshops for classes/groups
    • Available as Alternative to Suspension
  • COUNSELING: Motivate Change and Reduce Cannabis Use
  • CESSATION: Set Goals and Stop Cannabis Use

Thriving Youth and Community staff will help determine which pathway is appropriate for each student. Assessments and programming can occur both during and after school.

Anyone can refer students to the program and student self-referrals are encouraged. To make a referral, complete the PVPSA confidential referral form. 

Eligibility:

  • Middle and high school students (ages 12-18) qualify for this free program.

For more information about services for youth, contact:

Jennifer Velasquez
Phone: 831-279 - 3883
Email: jennifer.velasquez@pvpsa.org

SERVICES FOR CARING ADULTS:

We deliver workshops for parents, educators, and youth‑serving providers. Interactive sessions increase adults’ understanding of the effects of cannabis use on youth and strengthen adults’ skills at building relationships with youth that support youth and nurture resilience.

For more information about services for caring adults, contact:

Jen O’Brien-Rojos

Phone: 831-212-6070

Email: jobrienrojo@invincibleyouthca.com

Jazmin Jauregui (For Spanish Workshops)
Email: jazmin.jauregui@santacruzcountyca.gov

This project is supported by funding awarded by state grant award #940-22 through the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).