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OSSOM began in 1984 as an outgrowth of a youth traffic safety project. The project focus was to address teen drinking and driving issues through peer leadership. Over time, the focus has expanded to encourage safety consciousness among young people of all ages. OSSOM chapters offer youth a variety of prevention, intervention, and traffic safety program activities. These include such major issues as safety belt education, impaired driving, and alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use prevention. Chapters are encouraged to choose their projects based on what their school needs. |
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For Students OSSOM gives you an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your peers. As a member of an OSSOM Chapter you will plan fun events and projects to promote safe, healthy and legal decisions to your peers. You'll work with your chapter to put on these events, all while having fun and making a difference. You get to pick the topics based on what you know your school needs and get creative in planning your events! |
| For School Administrators OSSOM combines a unique approach, methodology, structure, outreach and identity, which is entirely youth-led and adult supported. When combined with community and adult/parent support systems, peer leaders truly make a difference in their own lives and the lives of their peers.OSSOM is grounded in 20+ years of successful experience. We believe that OSSOM will provide another piece to your school's prevention plan and we'd love to show you how. |
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For Parents OSSOM will give your students an opportunity to learn valuable real life skills like working with a team, organization and planning. But most importantly according to the 2000 Oregon Public School Drug Use Survey student's who participate in prevention programs are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs - as are kids whose parents establish firm, clear rules against use. So, just as OSSOM is an important part of shaping your student's attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, you are incredibly important as well. We are developing and finding resources for you as well, so please check back soon. |
| For Prevention Professionals OSSOM is based on program models and theories currently used in prevention. These models include Positive Youth Development, the Institute of Medicine Model, and many of the 40 Developmental Assets. What separates OSSOM from other youth-led prevention programs is our students are trained to use the 6 CSAP Prevention Strategies to plan their prevention projects and programs. |
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Our PURPOSE is empowering youth leadership to promote safe & healthy communities.
Our VISION is youth promoting safe and healthy communities through powerful leadership, Our MISSION is to educate, train and support youth to be leaders in their communities by
relationships, and technology.
promoting safe, healthy, and legal decisions.
Our GOAL is to build OSSOM one community at a time, as a self-sustaining and self-generating national youth-led prevention organization.
