Who We Are
The Substance Abuse Initiative of Greater Cleveland was created in 1989 to
address the issue of open drug trafficking in Cleveland and the accompanying
increase of crime. Prior to SAI there were no agencies dealing solely with public
education and empowerment over the drug issue. SAI was thus designed to fill that
gap. SAI was originally created as a project of the Task Force on Violent Crime, but
became an independent nonprofit [501 (c ) (3 )] agency in 1994.
What We Accomplish
Through community agencies, businesses, schools, professional agencies, and
volunteers, SAI brings together the Greater Cleveland Community to prevent the
abuse and illegal use of alcohol and other drugs.
- SAI BOARD MEMBERS
Seth Taft*
Chairman
Patricia G. Nash*
Vice Chair
Lillie Bell
President
Andres Gonzales
Vice President
Lori Zehe
Treasurer
Carla Tillman
Assistant Treasurer
Vacant
Secretary
Vacant
Assistant Secretary
Leonard Calabrese
Gregory F. Clifford, Esq.
Mary Denihan
Patricia Dennison
Senator Eric Fingerhut
Nancy Fisher Crum
Nina Gagliardo
Rev. Sterling Glover
Judge Burt W. Griffin*
Cordelia Harris, Ph.D.*
Frances Smith
David Stashower
Judge Robert Triozzi
Stacey L. Vaselaney
Sandra Vojta
Sanford E. Watson, III
Louis Weigele
Donna M. Winfield
*Denotes honorary board
members
We’re involved in…
- Redeveloping playgrounds in Cleveland neighborhoods, and helping them
remain drug-free - Encouraging implementation of Cleveland’s drug free school zone law
- Collaborating with other prevention programs to reduce the number of alcohol ads in
the inner city neighborhoods - Supporting the Cleveland Drug House Task Force in its mission of boarding up
suspected drug houses - Coordinating of the National Red Ribbon celebration for Greater Cleveland
- Providing technical assistance to neighborhood groups and street clubs in an effort
to discourage drug activity - Partnering with the Office of National Drug-Control Policy to promote the National
Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
