Our History

SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment) began in 2007 when student leaders from Emmet County’s four high schools identified youth substance abuse as their top concern through the Youth Advisory Committee of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. Community forums held in February and March 2007 brought together 40 local leaders, who gave the community a “D+” for its response and recommended forming a county-wide prevention coalition. 

On June 28, 2007, parents, students, and representatives from schools, law enforcement, health agencies, the Tribe, courts, and treatment centers formed the Youth Drug & Alcohol Task Force—later named SAFE in Northern Michigan. With support from the Petoskey-Harbor Spring Area Community Foundation grant, SAFE launched prevention efforts and created SAFE Youth to actively involve student leaders. 

In October 2007, teens began leading initiatives, including two “Take It Back” Community Briefings on Underage Drinking in March 2008. Featuring local principals, police officers, and counselors, the events drew more than 500 students, parents, and community members. 

SAFE also advocates for participation in the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY), a statewide survey conducted every other year among 7th, 9th, and 11th graders. The data helps schools and community partners better target prevention resources. Since 2007, SAFE has encouraged every local district to take part. 

In 2008, after recognizing SAFE’s impact, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation provided funding to expand efforts into Charlevoix County, growing the coalition’s reach and student involvement. 

Antrim County joined SAFE in Northern Michigan in 2015. That same year SAFE applied for and was awarded a grant from The Drug Free Communities (DFC) Program. DFC provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partner to prevent youth substance use.