Safe & Sound Prevention Efforts Honored By Drug Czar
Apr 20th, 2010
Safe & Sound was recently recognized by Obama administration officials in the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) for its work in relation to drug prevention in the City of Milwaukee. Nominated by the Milwaukee HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), Safe & Sound was the recipient of the 2010 Treatment and Prevention Efforts Award at the Annual ONDCP/HIDTA Banquet in Washington, DC. The event recognized excellence in combating illegal drugs and drug related activity and included representatives from all regional HIDTA locations as well as community-based organizations from around the country.
The Treatment and Prevention Efforts Award was presented by ONDCP Director and “Drug Czar” Gil Kerlikowske and Arnie Moorin, National HIDTA Program Director and Acting Deputy Director for Office of State, Local and Tribal Affairs. “It is a great honor to be recognized by the drug czar in Washington, DC and it is a true testament to Safe & Sound’s efforts to reduce the presence of illegal drugs in Milwaukee neighborhoods,” said Notestein. “I am very proud that Safe & Sound and the wonderful work we do has been recognized at the highest national level.”
Safe & Sound has established itself and earned a reputation that is unique to the United States in its mission to develop, support and facilitate collaborative approaches to measurably reduce violent crime by blending law enforcement, neighborhood organizing, and youth development. Through its collaboration with the Milwaukee HIDTA , Safe & Sound has been advancing its efforts in the community to prevent drug use and drug related crime with youth and residents in Milwaukee neighborhoods.
The Safe & Sound crime reduction strategy and its work in relation to drug prevention in the City of Milwaukee are its Safe Places for youth and Community Partners neighborhood organizers. Safe & Sound Safe Places are after school locations in Milwaukee’s neighborhoods that engage youth ages 10-19 in evidence-based programming to prevent negative behaviors such as illegal substance abuse. Last year, over 20,000 youth participated in such activities in almost thirty Safe Places in Milwaukee’s high-crime, low-income neighborhoods. The Safe & Sound Community Partners made over 12,000 door-to-door contacts that included providing 1,495 anti-crime and resource referrals and addressed 572 residents complaints of illegal activity with law enforcement, of which over forty percent were drug related issues.
The award serves as a testament to the work Safe & Sound does on a day-to-day basis in some of Milwaukee’s most challenged neighborhoods. While great strides have been made, Safe & Sound recognizes there is much more work to be done and is energized from its recent honor. Congratulations and great work to all Safe & Sound staff!
