The History of SADD
SADD was founded at Wayland High School in Wayland, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1981 following the tragic deaths of two students in separate alcohol-related crashes that happened less than two weeks apart. Hockey coach Bob Anastas and a group of students decided to name their group Students Against Driving Drunk to capture the responsibility teens themselves had for their behavior. "If the problem is mine, then the solution lies with me" became their popular slogan. Realizing that parents needed to be more involved with their teens, a contract called the "Contract for Life" was developed and continues to be widely used today.
Making a Difference
This unique student-led effort turned into a national movement. In SADD’s first two years, 6,000 high schools across the country created chapters. Even more important, the number of teen deaths from drunk driving started dropping. In 1981, about half the states had drinking ages under 21. "Drunk" driving was the number-one killer of teens – more than 100 teens per week were killed in alcohol-related crashes. Over the next 10 years, through the efforts of SADD and similar organizations, the number of teen deaths dropped by almost 60 percent.
In 1997, in response to feedback from students themselves, SADD expanded its mission and adopted a new name, Students Against Destructive Decisions. Today, there are more than 10,000 chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. While reducing impaired driving remains a focus, SADD is dedicated to preventing all behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, other drug use, and teen violence and suicide.
More information about SADD is available at www.sadd.org.
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