Stories in this Issue:
HBO's Addiction Documentary Premieres in Raleigh
Thousands at Easter Egg Festival Hear Drug-Free Message
TeenFest 2K7 Draws National Support
by Robin Lindner
GREENSBORO (March 31, 2007) – Families were looking for Easter Eggs, but what they may have found was a conversation starter that could save a child’s life.
More than 3,000 people stopped by the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market just a week before Easter browsing for eggs the Easter Bunny had left behind. Vendors and WKZL treated the crowd to plenty of family activities including giant slides, a rock wall, free Cheerwine, and games for everyone.
Partnership for a Drug-Free NC’s booth was no different, but offered more than a few free prizes. Jane Williams, Vice President of Unlimited Success, Partnership’s prevention division, was on hand to help parents and kids get the conversation about drugs, alcohol, and smoking started.
“Do smart kids smoke cigarettes?” Williams asked one four year old who emphatically shook her head. Williams rewarded the preschooler with a Drug-Free pencil and tattoo. She then passed off a pamphlet to the mother about ways to help raise a drug-free child.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Monitoring the Future, and the federal government have done conducted studies which show, in some form or another, kids who learn about the risks and dangers of drugs from their parents are 50 percent more likely to postpone usage.
“This is just a great chance for us to get out and interact face-to-face with parents and kids. We can only hope to spur them thinking, so they’ll start talking,” said Williams.
WKZL is an avid supporter of the Partnership’s message and so donated the vendor space with the idea that so many kid friendly activities, combined with the triad’s biggest Easter Egg hunt, would provide a perfect platform for parents to be reminded to talk to their children about something that can be a taboo topic.
“I felt having Partnership for a Drug-Free NC at the 1075KZL Easter Egg Festival was a win-win for both organizations. As many parents and young children attend our annual Easter Egg Festival, it provides a great target audience for the Partnership’s message. Also, Dick Broadcasting Company is a locally owned and operated company in the Piedmont Triad area. All of our employees live here and are raising families here; therefore, we are committed to making a difference in this community. We believe it is in the community’s best interest to be educated about drug abuse and how to stop it and prevent it. We strongly support the goals of the Partnership, and we believe their efforts make the Piedmont Triad community a better place to live. We are proud to partner with them.” says Anita Greenland, Local Sales Manager for Dick Broadcasting’s 107.5 KZL and Rock 92.
Trainers from DogLogic also donated their time and talents to promote the DogLogic Drug-Free dogs, believing spending time outdoors with man’s best friend is a better way to spend a day than getting high, a message staffers feel is important with which to be involved.
“DogLogic Training is proud to help promote the drug-free message throughout North Carolina. Just as the Partnership for a Drug-Free NC hopes to positively influence the lives of many North Carolinians, we also seek to provide a place for dogs and people of all ages to learn and have fun in a positive way,” says Margaret Bond, a spokesperson for Dog Logic.
Her border collie, Piper, and two King Charles Spaniels, Tess and True, entertained the crowds with agility and trick demonstrations. The excitement caused several hundred children to drag parents’ arms, legs, and strollers toward the Partnership’s set up where prevention specialists Keith Morrison and Patrick Benton were waiting.
The two handed out Frisbees and lip balm and pressed on water-washable drug-free tattoos for three hours hoping to connect with a child. “I thought the Easter Egg festival went well. I enjoyed the parents and kids. I had a blast watching the kids having fun and learning at the same time,” says Morrison.
After surviving the hot sun and masses of people, Partnership volunteers determined the Easter Egg festival was a sp-egg-tacular time and egg-actly the opportunity to spur important conversations in North Carolina families.
To learn more about the Partnership’s resources and services, you can visit www.drugfreenc.org.
Prevention Specialist Patrick Benson, puts on a washable tattoo for a youngster who’s just won the prize at Partnership’s display
Jane Williams, Vice President of Unlimited Success, asks a child a question at the Partnership’s “pick-up ducks” game to teach kids about the dangers of substance abuse
Staff from DogLogic Training show off what drug-free dogs can do and attract quite a crowd with their exciting tricks
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminnistration
Partnership for a Drug-Free NC