PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. (Parent Resources and Information on Drug Education) works to prevent youth from using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by changing the environment that encourages children to use drugs. We are involved in various drug prevention activities that touch the lives of every community member. We provide a multitude of vital services to students, parents, educators, lawmakers, and any community members working to keep children drug free.

Over 30 years ago two concerned moms brought together friends and neighbors to address the growing problem of substance use among the children of their community. PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. was founded by parents in 1978 with a mission dedicated to preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) by youth. The goals are to save lives by raising awareness regarding the dangers caused by drug use and advocating for children by encouraging social norms that support a safe, healthy, drug-free lifestyle for young people.

Today, the staff of PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. collectively has over 57 years of experience in drug prevention and youth advocacy. Executive Director Paul Carter is a professional educator who has worked in drug prevention for youth for over twenty-five years. Former executive director Susie Dugan has served for 28 years and is working as Project Manager and consultant. Megan Franklin serves as Tobacco Prevention Specialist. Linda Chloupek serves as Finance Administrator. Kim Kaszuba is the Assistant/Marketing supporting all projects.

PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. is the only area expert resource on primary drug prevention across all drugs. PRIDE is a nationally-recognized leader in grassroots community drug prevention. The organization serves all individuals: rural, urban, or suburban; all ages; all ethnic populations; all disparate groups. Services include a comprehensive center open to all individuals and organizations including youth, parents, schools, coalitions, law enforcement, media, policymakers, medical professionals, community leaders, the judiciary, and the public, with most materials and programs provided free of charge.

PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt corporation located in Omaha, Nebraska. All donations are tax deductible. Donations may be made by check, VISA, or MasterCard. Checks should be made payable to PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.

Programs

• Assists law enforcement with MIP (Minors-In-Possession) Party Patrols to reduce both underage drinking parties and underage access to alcohol by identifying adults providing alcohol to minors.
• Sponsors the MIP (Minors-In-Possession) Hotline program for the public to anonymously report anyone who is providing alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs to young people.
• Implements community outreach programs to children, parents, and schools including Project Prom/Graduation and the Safe Homes Parents Network program.
• Assists in implementation of the annual Red Ribbon Drug Prevention Campaign.
• Assists law enforcement with tobacco compliance checks of retail businesses selling tobacco products, which has reduced the compliance failure rate for sales of tobacco to minors from 69% to 4.5%.

Services

• Video lending library and printed materials on alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, methamphetamine, cocaine, club drugs, steroids, slang drug terms, parenting, classroom activities, and community involvement to educate and raise awareness of the devastating effects of drug use on our communty.
• Newsletters with drug trend updates, local, regional, and national drug prevention news, events, and calls to action to inform and to empower readers to impact drug prevention issues.
• Drug prevention tips for publication in school, faith-based, community, or workplace periodicals to utilize the most potent and underused tool in preventing substance abuse-parents.
• Website information on drug prevention topics to provide anyone with internet access vital research-based information around the clock.
• Drug prevention curricula to provide valuable tools to educators.
• Printed materials in Spanish to fulfill an unmet need to provide Spanish-speaking parents, educators, counselors, and healthcare providers with effective drug prevention tools.
• Monitoring of drug trends that endanger children and communicating the danger via e-mail, websites, media, and the newsletter.
• Grassroots advocacy such as court watch, community impact statements, and action alerts to provide the community a clearinghouse for timely action on the latest drug prevention issues.
• Supporting legislation that establishes public policies protecting children from drug use.
• Technical assistance to provide students, parents, educators, counselors, law enforcement, media, policy makers, healthcare professionals, youth ministers, community organizations, prevention professionals, and the public a constant, credible resource on drug prevention issues.

More Info

Prevention pays. Every dollar spent on substance abuse prevention saves from $2 to $20¹

"Policy makers have found the greatest success in discouraging adolescents from using addictive substances [is] in multi-faceted community-wide efforts."² The PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. Service Center provides current, research-based information and effective practical tools to all community members working to keep children drug free.

PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. is a non-profit organization which often utilizes volunteers to accomplish our mission. Volunteer opportunities include speakers' bureau, special projects, office assistance, grant writing, and fundraising to name just a few. Please do not hesitate to contact our office at 402-397-3309 or info@pride.org to learn more about our many volunteer opportunities.

¹(Cost-Benefit Estimates in Prevention Research, The Journal of Primary Prevention, Swisher, J.D., Scherer and Yin, K., October 2004.)
²(Substance Abuse Facing the Costs, Center on an Aging Society, Georgetown University, Issue Brief, Number 1, Aug. 2002.)