City wins two statewide awards

Santa Clarita receives Public Safety Award for its outreach ‘Heroin Kills’ campaign

On the day of its annual drug symposium for parents, the city of Santa Clarita has received the Public Safety Award for its outreach campaign “Heroin Kills: The High is a Lie — The Shocking Truth About Heroin in Santa Clarita.”

The League of California Cities announced Wednesday they had selected the city as a 2017 Helen Putnam Award winner at its conference in Sacramento.

Mobilizing to combat a crisis facing its young residents, heroin, the city, law enforcement, school districts, medical experts and local nonprofit agencies have co-hosted the Heroin Kills symposium for several years now.

The League recognized the city’s efforts as a hard-hitting education and outreach campaign to raise awareness and educate youth and parents on the dangers and effects of drugs. The program addresses increased fatalities due to drug abuse.

Also awarded to the city, was the Internal Administration award for its Employee Development programs.

Through the Mentoring Program, employees can take on promotional opportunities within the organization. The Leadership Academy leverages monthly training sessions, team-building exercises, open discussions and interactions with directors, the assistant city manager and the city manager to help employees become leaders in the city.

“This year’s award winning programs are two examples of projects that are of great benefit to our community in two very different ways,” said Councilwoman Marsha McLean in a statement. “Santa Clarita puts a strong emphasis on forward thinking initiatives and creative solutions.”

Established in 1982, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes outstanding cities that deliver the highest quality and level of service in the most effective manner possible.