FADD: “HOW IT ALL BEGAN”
Fathers Against Drunk Driving: FADD, Inc. has been on the front lines, raising awareness; educating our youth; and saving lives since 1985. We have accomplished this through education and awareness programs acting to bring an opportunity to prevent the deadly consequences of drinking and driving. Also, since 2009 we have collaborated with students for the Underage Drinking Prevention Month annually in July. 2017 is the 9th annual event. Overview & History:
A) Project “Provide-A-Ride” was of our first prevention saving service that was developed in 1985
Fliers were distributed to local bars, restaurants, drinking establishments and everywhere in between. Once people started calling for a Safe-N-Sober ride home, we saw our hard work pay-off with, “thanks for the safe ride home,” as our reward. This was the start of a life saving journey that, to this day continues. B) Membership Drive: The need to have others help save lives in different communities gave birth to our FADD Designated Driver network. Yes, knowing that people were dying because of alcohol related crashes all over the country was the driving force that created this program that continues today. Every FADD member becomes part of a national network of Designated Drivers. Each member receives educational, awareness and prevention materials along with their beautiful FADD membership card. Simple, yet very effective in saving lives in communities all over the nation. C) National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month is a celebration that takes place every September. We partner with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). For more than 20 years Recovery Month has worked to improve the lives of millions of Americans in need of treatment and recovery services. September 2016 was our 10th year that FADD was been involved with events all over the nation, in towns big and small. FADD had different events and campaigns in the community of Tulare County, California. Last year; (2016) we planned a project simply called “ARRIVE ALIVE,” where we distributed FADD flyers along with educational and awareness materials that have been donated by SAMHSA. D) Underage Drinking Prevention Month:
This idea started as a “Pilot Project” in 2009 with 2 students, we passed out educational materials, fliers while developing relationships. We had great success in reaching out into the community, so much so that we decided to implement it again in 2010, well we had 14 students, with our plans coming into fruition. Before our 2011 campaign began, we were led to create a special section on our website dedicated to students, teachers and schools. And since then, we receive emails, phone calls from students and teachers throughout the USA, and from Canada as well. We send them educational materials fliers and key chains in order for them to raise awareness on the dangers of Underage Drinking in their own communities. This student awareness campaign is now an international program with students in Canada getting involved. E) Our goal: While implementing these ongoing projects and programs, FADD is searching for partners to underwrite an educational and research facility. This is the reason that you have received this information. As a supporter of this work we would like to invite you to support us, and to share our vision of opening this community learning center to educate students and adults; also, to create new partnerships to support current and new prevention initiatives. This community-learning center will have two areas:
Our educational and research area, we will have a classroom environment where youth and adults can come and learn through videos, computers, or printed materials on how to avoid and prevent alcohol related fatalities and to raise awareness with students in Underage Drinking Prevention as well. We will also be a national clearinghouse with our Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA) partnership to continue to distribute educational materials to students, and our associate chapters. The other area will be to plan, coordinate and implement highway safety programs, outreach campaigns, events, and fundraising activities. This will be our “think tank”, where our creativity and innovation will create, plan, then mobilize across the nation with a positive impact making strategy that has proven successful. NOTE: 2017 Update
We are also closely tracking and doing research in alcohol detection systems for vehicles. This new technology is currently being developed with a partnership that has been developed to bring highly qualified team with the greatest minds to reduce alcohol related fatalities on our U. This collaboration is; Driver Alcohol Detection Systems for Safety; (DADSS), Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety; (ACTS), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; (NHTSA). Thank you for your time, you may do more research by visiting our website, (URL below); and if you have any questions about FADD; or how you can help by becoming part of the solution, you may contact us at the information listed below. Fathers and Veterans Against Drunk Driving: FADD/VADD
62 N. Villa St. #2
Porterville, CA 93257
(559)809-8262
URL: www.fadd-vaddusa.org
Email: faddintl@gmail.com
EIN: 47-4444234
Sponsored by Assistance for Veterans
