Friday Night Done Right: Empowering Youth to Choose Substance-Free Lifestyles

About FNDR

The Friday Night Done Right (FNDR) initiative is an innovative program designed to empower middle and high school students in Nassau County to lead substance-free lives by providing engaging, healthy alternatives. This initiative challenges harmful social norms, like the misconception that “everyone is doing it,” and fosters resilience, self-confidence, and mental well-being among teens. By partnering with Nassau County Schools, local law enforcement, and community organizations, FNDR creates safe spaces where youth can thrive without the pressures of substance use.

FNDR aims to:

Engage 100 middle and high school students in substance-free events and activities.

Increase awareness of substance-free fun by 10%, as measured through the FNDR Intercept Survey.

Improve knowledge of healthier lifestyle choices and foster peer relationships by 10%, also tracked through the FNDR Intercept Survey.

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Why it Matters

According to the 2023 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS):

47%

of Nassau County students reported an elevated risk of favorable attitudes toward antisocial behaviors.

28%

expressed elevated risk for favorable attitudes toward alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use.

20%

of middle schoolers indicated a higher likelihood of early experimentation with drugs—a risk factor strongly linked to long-term substance use challenges.

Data from the Nassau County School District's 2021-2022 School Environment Safety Incident Reports further underscores the need for FNDR, with 221 tobacco-related incidents, 28 cases of drug use/possession, and 3 drug sale/distribution incidents reported.

Mental Health Impact

FNDR goes beyond preventing substance use; it directly contributes to mental wellness by reducing the stigma of being substance-free, fostering peer connections, and encouraging

healthier lifestyle choices. Research shows that participation in prosocial activities, like those promoted by FNDR, lowers the risk of substance misuse and delinquent behaviors while
boosting resilience and mental health.

In a time when 1 in 5 teens faces a mental health challenge by the age of 18, FNDR plays a critical role in promoting emotional well-being, reducing feelings of isolation, and empowering youth to make positive, informed choices that benefit their mental and physical health.

This popular campaign, first developed for Drug Free Charlotte County, has been implemented in various communities across Florida and focuses on positive ways teens have fun without alcohol and dope.

FNDR empowers teens through positive alternatives by giving students in Middle and High School the ability to make important choices about how they spend not only their Friday nights, but other time as well.

Building a Safer Community

By challenging societal pressures and promoting substance-free lifestyles, FNDR helps create a
stronger, healthier Nassau County. This program not only supports youth in making better
choices today but also lays the foundation for a brighter, substance-free future.

Dates for Friday Night Done Right events will be announced soon. Stay tuned for more details about how you can join us in empowering Nassau County’s youth!

For more information or to schedule a program, contact Caitlin Miller at [email protected].