The Freeport Pride Substance Abuse Prevention Program is designed to prevent the onset of drug abuse in young people by creating an environment in the community that discourages drug, alcohol and tobacco use and violence. Prevention program services include youth groups, drug prevention presentations and community organization. Our prevention program is based on the Social Learning Model of drug prevention. Our program is an environmental approach to substance abuse prevention. For more information on our program philosophy read our article Changing the Culture.

The primary activity of the prevention program is the Operation Pride Youth Committee an anti-drug youth group run in cooperation with the Freeport Public Schools. Students become members of the Youth Committee by attending four consecutive meetings and pledging to remain drug free. The Youth Committee (or O.P. as it is often called) includes a peer leadership approach to change the rules, to make it “cool” to be drug free, and to reverse the peer pressure and other influences that often push young people toward using or selling drugs. O.P. members learn about substance and nonviolence, strengthen their resolve to remain drug free and support each other's drug free behavior. Members conduct activities to spread an anti-drug message and to change attitudes that condone drug use, including assembly (often utilizing the arts) and classroom presentations, community action efforts and special events. It is our belief that our Freeport High School chapter is the largest anti-drug youth group in any high school in New York State. For examples of some Prevention Program activities, read O.P. Stories.

The Freeport Pride Substance Abuse Prevention program sponsors three annual events, the 8 to 8 Jam, the Operation Pride Step Show, and the Operation Pride Show.

An additional activity of our prevention program is the Freeport Community Coalition, a collaboration of Freeport Stakeholders including the Freeport Schools, Freeport churches, the Freeport Menmorila Library, community organizations, parents and others.  The Freeport Community Coalition is dedicated to fostering community change throuigh an environmental approach that works to help establish community practices that encourage a drug free community.  Click here for more inofrmatiuon on the Freeport Community Coalition.