News Summary
The Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools are set to launch an expanded Positive Peer Influencer program aimed at training high school mentors for middle school students. This initiative encourages healthy lifestyle choices and combats drug use pressures, reflecting a strong community response to recent concerns around adolescent drug overdose statistics. With increased participation, the program will mentor more students and foster leadership among youth, marking a significant step towards promoting informed decision-making in the region.
Savannah, Georgia – The Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS), in collaboration with The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire and the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, is set to launch an enhanced Positive Peer Influencer program for the 2025-2026 school year on September 23, 2025. This initiative aims to train high school students to serve as mentors for middle schoolers, encouraging them to make healthy lifestyle choices and resist the pressures of drug use.
This year marks the third year of the Positive Peer Influencer program, which has achieved record participation levels from student leaders across a variety of SCCPSS schools. For the upcoming school year, the program will train 250 Positive Peer Influencers from nine high schools, who will mentor students in 11 middle schools throughout Chatham County. This participation has notably increased from 140 trained mentors and eight middle schools in 2024, underscoring the growing acceptance and importance of the program in the community.
The launch event will feature interactive sessions, highlights of student contributions, and remarks from staff members at The Mediation Center, affirming the collective effort in promoting positive choices among youth. The program is critical in addressing the rising concerns around drug use, especially among adolescents. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 3% decrease in overdose deaths; however, tragically, 1,597 teens aged 15-19 succumbed to drug overdoses that year. Within Chatham County alone, approximately 46 overdose deaths were recorded in 2025, with five linked specifically to the combination of cocaine and fentanyl.
In Georgia, 75% of overdose deaths among adolescents in 2023 were attributed to fentanyl, as reported by Jessica Simon of the Georgia Department of Public Health. The Positive Peer Influencer program directly responds to these alarming statistics by focusing on educating both high school mentors and their middle school mentees about the dangers of drug use. The program encourages high school students to convey crucial messages about making smart decisions regarding drugs, particularly opioids.
The inception of the Positive Peer Influencer program occurred during the 2023-2024 school year, initially involving four public high schools. Its success has led to an expansion, now including five additional high schools, effectively pairing additional middle or K-8 schools with high school mentors. SCCPSS Superintendent Denise Watts has highlighted the program’s importance in fostering an environment that promotes positive decision-making to deter drug-related issues among students.
The Positive Peer Influencer program is designed not only to empower mentors to take leadership roles but also to enhance the communication skills and confidence of student volunteers. This approach aims to create a mutually beneficial relationship where both mentors and mentees grow and learn from each other. Plans are in place for further expansion of the program in the future, which may encompass additional issues such as bullying and the challenges posed by social media.
Individuals involved with the program stress the importance of integrating a youth perspective to support existing educational standards in classrooms. Students like Promise Cooper, a senior at New Hampstead High School and a Positive Peer Influencer, are exemplifying the positive effects of this initiative. Cooper successfully assisted a middle school student in navigating a situation involving peer pressure to smoke, showcasing the impactful role of mentoring.
With aspirations to pursue a career in therapy, influenced by her experiences as a Positive Peer Influencer, Cooper’s journey illustrates the broader goals of the program—to nurture informed, compassionate leaders who can advocate for healthy choices among their peers. The launch of the enhanced Positive Peer Influencer program represents a substantial investment in the future well-being of Chatham County’s youth, aiming to cultivate a community resilient against the pressures of drug use.
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: 250 SCCPSS High School Students Serve as Mentors to Middle Schoolers
- Wikipedia: Drug Addiction
- Savannah Now: Savannah’s Positive Peer Influencers Combat Peer Pressure and Drug Use
- Google Search: Positive Peer Influencer program
- Savannah Business Journal: Jill Cardenas of the Mediation Center to Transition to Advisory Role
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Peer Pressure
- Savannah Now: Savannah’s Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Hands Out Annual Awards to Youth Participants
- Google News: Drug Overdose Teen Statistics
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
