The Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station has reported a significant decrease in juvenile drug arrests since 2012. From 2012 to 2015 the juvenile drug arrest numbers were reduced 52.9 percent from 155 to 73. The City’s Drug Free Youth in Town program began in 2012.
“DFYIT was started as an effort to ensure the health of our local youth and educate them on the dangers associated with drug-related activities,” said Mayor Bob Kellar. “Seeing such a sharp drop off in juvenile drug arrests since the program started is a very encouraging statistic as we continue to reach out to junior high and high schoolers in Santa Clarita.”
Despite the City’s population increase from approximately 179,000 in 2012 to approximately 185,000 in 2015, juvenile drug arrests have continued to fall, with 124 arrests in 2013, 91 in 2014 and 73 in 2015.
DFYIT is a free, school-based, voluntary, anti-drug club for junior high school and high school teens. The clubs are run by kids, for kids, allowing teens to thrive in a drug-free setting with like-minded peers. The City launched the program along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Fifth Supervisorial District and the William S. Hart High School District in 2012 with the goal of providing a positive peer network for Santa Clarita teens that supports healthy choices and a drug-free lifestyle.
Since its launch, DFYIT has started clubs in 15 schools in Santa Clarita Valley and has 2,680 students enrolled. DYFIT students are involved in community service projects, attend educational workshops and summits, enjoy social events with friends and participate in random drug tests to proudly proclaim their drug-free status.
“The DFYIT program is slowly changing the culture on junior high and high school campuses by celebrating youth who choose to live a drug free life,” said City Manager Ken Striplin.
For additional details on the DFYIT program, contact Janine Prado, Human Services Administrator for the City’s Community Services Division, at (661) 250-3716 or visit dfyitscv.com.
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6 Comments
Good job teens…..
So kids are gettin better at not getting caught, yeah good job teens
naw…don’t believe it.
God job….
Probably in part because of Prop 47. You would have to look at misdemeanor stats to know for certain.
My son, Matthew was Vice President of this group when he was a junior & senior at Canyon High. He is now a freshman at College of the Canyons and plans on going to UCLA for his nursing degree. I’m so very proud of him as well as all the other students involved. Peace & Love to all!