Help Make Your Community Drug Free

by John Phillips

Simple messages. Plain talk.

They aren’t complex plans, but they are working for community groups in their efforts to fight drug use in their towns.

In Connecticut, the Connecticut Communities for Drug-Free Youth is a statewide organization that fosters a drug-free environment for children and teens. For over 20 years, CCDFY has supported and promoted prevention programs that are science-based and accessible to families, schools and community leaders.

In a recent survey of youth, it was reported that by eighth grade:
1. 46 percent of children have used alcohol.
2. 28 percent have smoked cigarettes.
3. 23 percent have used illegal drugs.
And by 12th grade:
1. 77 percent have used alcohol.
2. 54 percent have smoked cigarettes.
3. 51 percent have used illegal drugs.

To combat this growing trend, CCDFY has introduced a new, statewide effort dedicated to helping parents prevent their children from using alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. The Parent Corps in Connecticut is modeled on the same principles as the Peace Corps; it harnesses the power of parents working together to keep their children drug-free. Working in their children’s school and community, parent leaders provide parents with science-based drug prevention education, hands-on tools and a peer network that supports parents in their mission to keep their children healthy and drug-free.

In rural Kendallville, Ind., there is no large corporate sponsor to pick up the tab for an anti-drug program. But that’s not stopping the Drug Free Noble County Coalition from coming up with ways to encourage local young people to just say no.

One way the group seeks to spread the word is through a holiday “messaging” program. On various holidays, the coalition prints small cards and garners the cooperation of local merchants to distribute the cards to their customers.
1. On Mother’s Day, moms receiving corsages and bouquets from their loved ones also get a card saying, “Talk to your kids and grandkids about the dangers of drugs.”
2. Nervous boys renting tuxedos find a message in the pocket of their jackets reminding them to “have a sober prom.”
3. During the month of December, local grocery stores pack recipe cards for “mocktails” (non-alcoholic party drinks) into their customers’ grocery bags.

In 2000, Paul Zimmerman, a market researcher for Procter & Gamble, conducted a survey of 47,000 youth in three states to find out about their use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
The results:
1. Students whose parents talk to them about drug and alcohol use are 25 percent less likely to use these drugs regularly than students whose parents don’t discuss these issues.
2. Students whose parents set clear and consistent rules for them are 46 percent less likely to use drugs regularly than students without rules to follow.
3. Students who have been exposed to anti-drug messages on TV or radio are 40 percent less likely to use drugs regularly than students who have not been exposed to this form of messaging.

Communication can work wonders.

For ideas on how to launch a campaign against drug use in your area, visit the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s Web site at www.cadca.org.

Copyright © 2005 Publishers-Edge