Keeping Youth
Events Substance-Free

Our Mission

Raising the Bar aims to help parents and organizations create substance-free, kid-centered events and model healthy choices. Together, we can build safer, more positive spaces where kids feel supported, celebrated, and seen. Because kids thrive when we lead by example.

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Dispelling
Myths

Tips for dispelling commonly held myths and having conversations with friends and peers.

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Sharing
Research

Curious how you can make a lasting impact? Check out the research on healthy modeling.

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Creating Partnerships

Meet the amazing schools, youth sports organizations and other community partners.

Did you know that kids as young as 3 years old can recognize the smell of alcohol and by age 8 they’ve formed opinions about it?

No matter the age of your child, substance use prevention starts now.

The Inspiration Behind Our Program

Two teenage boys playing soccer on a field, one in white and the other in black, with a fence and a blue sign that reads 'Raising the Bar, Keep Youth Events Substance Free' in the background.

Join Us

Raising the Bar partners with dozens of organizations, youth sports teams and schools across Marin. Creating substance-free spaces where kids can thrive is an important first step in our effort to reduce underage substance use in our county. If you're inspired to bring Raising the Bar to your community, we'd love to connect. Join us in fostering safer, more positive experiences for youth.

A man holding a sparkler with a child in the background reacting with surprise, both indoors in front of a grey wall.

Our Why

Raising the Bar is one of Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships’ programs and strategies aimed at reducing the higher than average rates of underage substance use in Marin. We know that kids learn as much—if not more—from what they see as what they’re told. When parents and caregivers model healthy behaviors around alcohol and other substances, it shapes how kids view these choices as they grow.

Because kids thrive when parents lead by example