Anti-drug Campaign Expands
The government's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign now includes a web site, www.theantidrug.com, that gives parents tips on how to communicate with their kids about illict drugs.
"Parents today face many challenges when raising children," says White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) director, Barry McCaffrey.
"ONDCP has worked with behavioral science experts to develop tips and suggestions to help guide parents in the best ways to help their child maintain a healthy lifestyle free of dangerous substances like drugs, alcohol and tobacco," he says.
Theantidrug.com highlights the four key themes-- love, trust, communication, and honesty-- giving parents the opportunity to study topics such as "How do you answer the question 'did you ever do drugs?'" or "How to build an ongoing dialogue with kids about difficult subjects."
Response information is linked to eleven key parenting tips featured on the site, including how to:
- Make clear and consistent family rules
- Make your position (on dangerous substances) clear
- Praise and reward positive behavior
- Help your child deal with peer pressure
- Open an ongoing conversation
The site also allows parents to download or order a brochure in English or Spanish called, "Parenting Skills: 21 Tips & Ideas to Help You Make a Difference."
In 1997, with bipartisan support of the Congress and the President, ONDCP created the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, an effort designed to educate and empower all youth to reject illicit drugs. The Campaign relies on ads developed by the Partnership for a Drug Free America.
Additional facets of theantidrug communications campaign can be found in more than 140 media markets nationwide in magazine, newspaper and outdoor ads.