The Salem High School chapter of SADD has planned a convocation Monday, Sept. 11. The speaker will be Craig Tornquist, who is a supporter of SADD and has spoken at National conferences. He is a comedian that uses humor to talk about uncomfortable topics.
SADD or Students Against Destructive Decisions was started in 1981 by a teacher in Massachusetts. It was created because three students died due to drunk driving accidents in one school year. Originally SADD was called Students Against Drunk Driving.
At Salem High School, the chapter was started in 1984 by Jeanne Apple, Lynn Hall, and Jeanne Page. Page continued the chapter by herself starting in 1985. Michelle Medlock now co-sponsors the group with her. SHS’s chapter of SADD is the longest continuous chapter after the Massachusetts chapter dissolved for a few years.
“[SADD] provides support for people who are struggling with many problems: drug and alcohol, mental health, suicide, date rape, and so much more,” Page said.
The group also partners with community groups like the Washington County Substance Abuse Council, YMCA and the Washington County Tobacco Cessation Council. SADD puts on quick click competitions, parade floats, after proms, lunch activities and convocations. Every activity members put on with SADD is considered community service.
Anna Lange, who is a member of the group, said, “it is a group of kids that want to help others.”
Lange is a junior at SHS and has been a member of the club for two years. She decided to join SADD because she was already trying to help the community and wanted to do it with a group of like minded people.
Any highschool student looking to join SADD should contact Michelle Medlock for further information. Meetings are held in the mornings and snacks are provided. Members have had the opportunity to travel to national conferences and state conferences. Members have the opportunity to take trips out of state.