The North Haven Substance Abuse Action Council (formerly NH Substance Abuse Prevention Council) was founded in 2001 with the expressed purpose of reducing substance abuse in our community through education, awareness and making better choices. The council has strong involvement from community leaders and draws multiple members from the required 12 sectors. SAAC members have in the past shown treme
ndous commitment to eradicating substance abuse use in our youth, using a combination of their area of expertise and resources. The SAAC has provided information to parents and community members since its inception. They have held annual forums on substance abuse, which have been open to the entire community while specifically targeting parental attendance. In efforts to promote youth leadership the Department of Community Service and Recreation has sponsored youth to attend Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) youth leadership conferences. In addition, the SAAC, MADD and the North Haven Police Department have partnered with North Haven High School Students against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Over the past nine years the SAAC has evolved as an organization, creating the formal structure, including leadership roles and committee members that exist today. The SAPC is currently lead by the Town of North Haven's first selectmen, Michael Freda, who serves as the executive director. The executive director's responsibilities include, but are not limited to guiding the council, overseeing special projects, coalition building, and community representation, strategic planning, as well as marketing. The Director, Nancy Leddy, who also serves as the Town of North Haven's Youth Services Administrator has been with the SAPC since its inceptions. The Director's responsibilities include preparing the agenda, facilitating meetings, dissemination of information, and coordinating projects. The Secretary position is filled by Valerie Goodkin, who also serves as executive assistant to the first selectmen. The secretary takes meeting notes and prepares press releases. The SAAC has several standing committees including steering committee, youth leadership, community involvement and recruiting, business outreach, as well as communications and marketing. In addition to the coalition's executive leadership, the SAPC draws from a dynamic group of volunteer coalition members with years of experience in business, law enforcement, nutrition, media relations, health and other fields germane to ATOD. Each of these members is active in planning strategies, events, education opportunities, and outreach programming.
