District Attorney and Sheriff Form United Front Against Teen Substance Abuse

Studies show that one in four Santa Barbara high school students needs intervention, treatment, and/or counseling for their substance abuse issues. No one knows this better than Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley and Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, both members of Santa Barbara’s Fighting Back Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse Steering Committee. Dudley stated “Drug and alcohol abuse is so pervasive in our community…it is at the root of most of the crimes we prosecute.” Sheriff Bill Brown agreed, saying, “I understand the devastating effect that substance abuse has on individuals, families and the entire community. If we can put people on the road to recovery by giving them hope and a helping hand, we make our community a healthier, safer place.”

This mutual understanding is what led them to be involved in Summit for Danny. Now in its 11th year, Summit for Danny is a community climb that raises funds for the Daniel Bryant Youth and Family Center. The Daniel Bryant Youth and Family Center provides safe, effective outpatient treatment for young people ages 12-18 who are struggling with alcohol and other drug problems.

After losing his son Daniel to a drug overdose, local businessman Bob Bryant founded the Summit for Danny to raise funds to create an adolescent treatment center that would prevent other families from the tragedy of losing a child to substance abuse. Since then, teams have hiked international summits everywhere from Patagonia and Mont Blanc to the Canadian Arctic. This year’s local hike will take place Saturday, October 29th in the hills of Montecito.

The Daniel Bryant Center is a program of Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA). CADA works throughout Santa Barbara County to provide substance abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment services. To learn more visit http://cadasb.org .