The Oceanside SAFE Coalition and the Oceanside High School Youth Council raised funds to support youth mental health and substance misuse prevention through their annual SnapRaise online prevention fundraiser, which ran through Dec. 4.
The SAFE Coalition — founded in 2015 after a rise in local substance-related deaths — works to prevent and reduce youth substance misuse by partnering with families, schools and community organizations. The coalition addresses alcohol and cannabis use among youth through evidence-based programs, environmental strategies, enforcement partnerships and education.
Working alongside the coalition is the Oceanside High School Youth Council, a student-led mental health initiative. The council trains students to support peers, raise awareness of available resources and reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and behavioral health. Throughout the year, its members lead outreach, participate in events and help create prevention campaigns.
“Our mission is to promote student advocacy and empower students to be able to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations,” said coalition chair and Youth Council advisor Sara Dowler. “The Prevention Fundraiser is a way to quickly collect funds. Donations through the 501(c)(3) help the coalition to plan and continue to coordinate prevention programs and activities.”
Dowler said the council’s most meaningful fundraiser comes later in the year, when students organize the “Creating Connections” event. Students organize every aspect, from recruiting teachers to collecting raffle prizes.
The initiative pairs students with trusted adults — teachers, staff or other mentors — for activities like lunch, coffee or shared hobbies. Students buy raffle tickets for a chance to participate. The goal is to strengthen relationships, which are known protective factors against youth mental health struggles and suicide risk.
As fundraising continues, SAFE’s year-round prevention work remains extensive.
Led by project coordinator Alison Eriksen, the coalition has grown significantly since receiving federal Drug-Free Communities funding in 2019. It now organizes Narcan trainings, workshops, community events and biannual Drug Take Back Days.
“We work together to promote different initiatives throughout the year and reach more population within the community,” Eriksen said. “We’ve been so unbelievably fortunate to have the support and partnership of our [school] district and local community organizations.”
Coalition membership includes representatives from all 12 federally recognized community sectors: parents, youth, schools, law enforcement, businesses, healthcare professionals, government leaders, religious groups, civic volunteers, youth-serving organizations, media and substance abuse service providers. The coalition meets monthly to coordinate initiatives, relying on volunteers to support outreach and event planning.
Thanks to these collaborative efforts, key indicators have improved. Youth Development Survey results show significant declines in 30-day alcohol and marijuana use among middle and high school students since 2019. Meanwhile, perceptions of risk and disapproval from parents and peers have risen.
“The coalition isn’t a place where things get done; the community at large is,” Eriksen said.
