Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Prevention

City Heights Clean and Safe Coalition

An advocacy coalition made up of 15 Promotoras/Community Health Workers and youth members representing neighborhoods across City Heights, along with more than 30+ organizations and community partners from diverse sectors. The coalition is dedicated to promoting safety and cleanliness and to preventing and reducing youth use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis in the City Heights community.

Coalition activities include:

• Light our Way Campaign - This initiative celebrates graduating high school seniors from City Heights, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and achievements. Each selected student is featured on street banners along University Avenue, shining a spotlight on the bright future of our local youth.
• Volunteer Recognition Event - An annual celebration of the incredible dedication and impact of volunteers in City Heights. Volunteers are the heart and soul of this community. From volunteering at schools, to parks, to local events, these folks have poured their time and energy into helping others and making the community stronger.
• National Night Out Movie Night - The National Night Out event is a community partnership and family friendly event that helps foster positive community-law enforcement relations and promotes neighborhood safety.
• Promotoras/ Community Health Workers (CHWs) - Promotoras and Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a vital role in advancing health and well-being in City Heights. The Coalition engages a diverse group of trusted community members who reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the neighborhood. Through training and support, Promotoras/CHWs develop the skills needed to conduct effective community outreach, build trust, and strengthen relationships. They help residents connect to health and social services, support continuity of care, and promote sustained engagement in needed resources.
• City Heights Parents Empowered - A group of parents formed to create a space for learning about emerging trends in youth substance use, coordinating parent-led prevention efforts, and advocating for stronger regulations for retailers—such as smoke shops—that impact the health, well-being, and safety of young people in our community.
• Community Action Workgroups - The Coalition facilitates community action workgroups that bring together residents, city representatives, law enforcement, and social service providers to coordinate efforts, identify needs and resources, and work collaboratively toward a safer, cleaner City Heights.

Get Involved: Join our coalition to make a difference in City Heights—attend meetings, support initiatives, and help create healthier, safer communities.

North City Prevention Coalition

The North City Prevention Coalition (NCPC) mobilizes community members, youth, and local organizations in the North Central region of San Diego to prevent adolescent substance use and minimize associated harms. Through collaboration, education, and community-driven prevention strategies, NCPC empowers residents to create healthier and safer environments for young people and the community.

NCPC’s activities include:

• Technical Assistance – Helping community members implement strategies that prevent substance use and reduce associated risks.
• Monthly Coalition Meetings – Sharing local trends, prevention strategies, and collaborative solutions with parents, youth, and partners.
• Community Assessments & Awareness Campaigns – Using data to guide prevention initiatives and raise community awareness.
• Alcohol Retail Code Compliance Monitoring – Supporting responsible alcohol sales and reducing youth access to alcohol.

Get Involved: Join our coalition to make a difference—attend meetings, support initiatives, and help create healthier, safer communities.

Tobacco Policy Research Center

The Policy Research Center is a partnership between SAY San Diego and San Diego State University, funded by the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program #T33PC6863.

The Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment is conducting short-term projects aimed at gathering data to inform tobacco-related policies across California.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Center’s policy initiative projects, Annual Research Symposium, or Thirdhand Smoke DIY “Do It Yourself” projects and/or are passionate about making a meaningful environmental impact by addressing the harmful effects of toxic commercial tobacco pollution, we would love to connect with you.

Coastal Communities

Funded by the County of San Diego’s Tobacco Control Resource Program, Coastal Cities works with the Unincorporated Area’s residents, stakeholder groups, and the Board of Supervisors to advance a policy making 100% of outdoor public places entirely smoke-free. 

The project also works in the city of Chula Vista alongside Promotoras, youth, Sweetwater Union High School District, Chula Vista Police Department, and the City Council to strengthen the city’s Tobacco Retail Licensing Program to reduce illegal underage tobacco sales and better protect the community and environment.

Harm Reduction Program

SAY San Diego’s Harm Reduction Program provides education to help prevent fentanyl overdose deaths, promotes the safe disposal of unused or expired medications, and advocates for Good Samaritan Laws. 

The program offers:

1. Countywide fentanyl and opioid education, including overdose prevention and naloxone (Narcan) and Fentanyl Test Strips training
2. Free distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips (FTS) to residents in the Central and North Central regions of San Diego County

Stash Your Stash

Stash Your Stash™ (SYS™) is a SAY San Diego initiative developed in partnership with local cannabis retailers to help promote responsible consumption and safe storage practices for adults 21+.

As part of the campaign, participating retailers offer customers stickers featuring a QR code that links to safety tips and helpful resources.

Over the last decade, the community has shared concerns about accidental cannabis exposure in youth and pets, driving while high, and increased potency in cannabis products. This motivated efforts to promote safer cannabis storage and responsible use.

Guiding Principles:

1. Store cannabis products out of the reach of minors and pets. Locked away is best.
2. Do not drive while under the influence of cannabis. Driving high IS impaired driving.
3. Keep it simple. Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol, medicines, and other substances.
4. Store cannabis products out of the reach of minors and pets. Locked away is best.
5. Be aware of the THC content in cannabis products and its potential effects and duration.

From Sugar to Heroin

The From Sugar to Heroin project is implemented in partnership with high schools—including Clairemont High School and e3 Civic High School—and equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make healthy decisions while understanding the risks of substance use.

Through student-led research and engagement with subject matter expert guest speakers, participants explore real-world issues and develop informed perspectives on prevention and safety. The project culminates in a student-created presentation and a community town hall event, where youth share their learning and advocate for a healthier school and community environment.

Coming Soon: From Community to Counter

 From Community to Counter: Cannabis Retailer Training and Policy Translation in San Diego, a partnership between UCSD and SAY San Diego.

This project will pilot a Responsible Cannabis Outlet Training in San Diego to strengthen compliance with California’s regulatory framework, including SB 540 requirements for consumer education, strict ID verification at entry and sale, and restrictions on signage, marketing, and youth access. Working with enforcement agencies, community coalitions, and licensed retailers, we will pair training with compliance checks, staff surveys, and underage purchase attempts to rigorously evaluate its impact. Results will provide legislators and regulators with actionable evidence to guide enforcement strategies and inform consideration of a statewide training mandate to protect youth and advance California’s public health goals.