What causes teens to make risky decisions behind the wheel—and how can parents, schools, and communities help change the outcome before tragedy strikes? In this episode of Step Up to Save Our Children, we sit down with Taylor Small of Students Against Destructive Decisions to discuss the powerful Shifting Gears program and the growing challenges facing young drivers today. From distracted driving, THC and alcohol use and peer pressure to prevention strategies that truly connect with students, Taylor shares how SADD is helping teens make smarter, safer decisions both on and off the road. This conversation offers practical insight for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about protecting young lives. Learn how education, leadership, and open conversations can help shift the culture around teen driving and empower students to make choices that save lives. Through a national network of student-led chapters in high schools and colleges, SADD provides educational, engaging programming rooted in over four decades of expertise. Our chapters mobilize teens, engage parents, and activate communities around critical issues including traffic safety, substance use prevention, and personal health and safety.
www.SADD.org
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Step Up to Save Our Children is a new podcast promoting a healthy, safe and drug fee community. Important topics with professional guests provide information on a variety of topics from high potency marijuana, underage drinking, fentanyl poisoning and other drug and mental health related issues. This podcast, Step Up to Save Our children, is attempting to meet parents and caregivers where you are. Whether at home, exercising or waiting for your child from sports, music or ballet, this will be your opportunity to keep your children safe by educating yourself to the dangers they face.
Who am I? Denise Mayer is a 53-year resident of Anderson Township. Denise received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati. She has worked in many volunteer endeavors and was the creator and publisher of Brainstorm Magazine, a publication written by and for high school students that was distributed at sixty-five high schools in the Greater Cincinnati area in the late 80’s and 90’s. A huge advocate for children’s safety and welfare, Denise started Step Up Anderson Township to bring awareness and education to the community on the topics of illegal drugs, vaping, and underage drinking that are affecting our young people. She is a wife of 53 years, mother of three daughters, and grandmother of six, all living in the Anderson Township area and attending Forest Hills Schools. She and her husband Rick are dedicated to their welfare and health as well as that of the Anderson Community.

