Making Headlines:
TEENS CONSUMING RECORD AMOUNTS OF MEDIA
For Immediate Release
August 23, 2010
Winston-Salem, N.C. – According to new research from The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, teens are immersed in various forms of electronic media for 53 hours a week.
The research also shows more than one-third of parents are concerned the amount of media consumption hinders their ability to find time to communicate with their children, especially ages eight to 18.
As a result The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Drug-Free NC are launching the "Time To Talk" campaign as a new school year approaches.
"Back-to-school is a time of new beginnings for teens, but also marks new challenges with added pressure from peers, especially when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Parents, as well as religious and education leaders, need to take every opportunity to be a part of candid conversations with our youth," says Drug-Free NC C.E.O., Bert Wood.
The study shows parents worry mediums ranging from television to Twitter detract from discussions about risky behavior, especially drug and alcohol abuse. This news comes at a time when teen substance abuse is already on the rise for the first time since 1998. In fact 75 percent of teens report "their friends get high at parties."
The "Time To Talk" campaign shows parents how to find teachable moments in every day life to begin conversations about substance abuse. It also focuses on helping parents learn how to use new media to communicate with their children.
All the information, including a downloaded "text messaging cheat sheet," can be found by visiting drugfreenc.org on the home page. Click on the link "Time To Talk."
Downloads:
31_Teens_and_Media
Time to Talk Drug Chart
Time to Talk Kit
Time to Text Texting Guide
STATE FUNDING CUTBACKS LEAD 40 NORTH CAROLINA MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ORGANIZATIONS TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING
For Immediate Release
March 23, 2010
Greensboro, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is required to cut roughly $1.5 billion from its budget this year.
These proposed cuts have lead health and human service professionals to call for a series of town hall meetings throughout North Carolina. A group called The Coalition is hosting the Piedmont Triad’s meeting on Tuesday, March 30 at 6:30pm at Guilford College in Dana Auditorium.
The Coalition is a group of 40 North Carolina organizations that advocate for families and individuals dealing with mental health, substance abuse, or developmental disabilities.
Partnership for a Drug-Free NC is a participating member in The Coalition. President and C.E.O. Bert Wood believes these meetings are urgently important to the Piedmont Triad saying, "Substance abuse and mental health services have experienced dramatic cuts. These town hall meetings will put a face on the statistics and highlight, for policy makers and legislators, the unintended effects on individuals, families and communities cause by the service reductions."
This is the second year in a row the DHHS has suffered reductions. The state legislature reduced nearly one third (29%) of the total Health and Human Services finances in 2009-2010.
DHHS is tasked with providing funding for services like treatment for individuals with mental illness or substance abuse problems, the Department of Public Health, school health nurses, Senior Outreach Care, and reimbursement for prescription drugs.
Download 30_Town_Hall
TEEN DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE SPIKES FOR FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DECADE
For Immediate Release
March 2, 2010
Winston-Salem, N.C. – The Partnership for a Drug-Free America/MetLife Foundation Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) shows the first reversal in the consistent decline of teen drug and alcohol abuse since 1998.
The number of teens in grades 9-12 that used alcohol in the past month is up to nearly 40 percent. Past year Ecstasy has increased a drastic 67 percent. Teen marijuana use in the past year has also spiked roughly 20 percent.
Underlying these increases are negative shifts in teen attitudes about the acceptability of drug use and drinking. Now 75 percent of teens agree “friends usually get high at parties.”
Abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse has remained steady with still 1 in 5 teens in grades 9-12 reporting abuse at least once. More than half (56%) of all teens believe prescription drugs are easier to get than illegal ones.
The PATS study also shows a corresponding drop in parental involvement and action with only 47 percent of parents of teens who use only “wanted” to take action or took not action at all.
Partnership for a Drug-Free NC’s C.E.O., Bert Wood, responded saying, “We know use increases when the perceived risk decreases. Some may reason an increase after a 12 year decline is merely a pendulum swing, but we think it is unacceptable. The statistics are alarming and the charge to ‘step up’ prevention efforts is now even greater. Clearly families, faith communities, education professionals, law enforcement, and media groups must do even more.”
Download 29_PATS_2009
WINSTON-SALEM SEES RED DURING OCTOBER AS PART OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH
For Immediate Release
October 2, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD), Winston-Salem Entertainment-Sports Complex, Wake Forest Athletics, ISP Sports and Drug-Free NC are teaming up to light the night sky in red.
This collaboration during Substance Abuse Awareness Month is the only one of its kind in North Carolina. Red is the official color of substance abuse awareness.
The project is a combined effort to raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse, the dangers, and the repercussions. More than 50 percent of the people in the Piedmont Triad are affected by addiction.
"Now more than ever our families need to be encouraged and equipped to have conversations. Our young people need support to make healthy choices. We know that one in five teenagers is abusing prescription drugs, and about 75 percent are drinking before they graduate high school," says Drug-Free NC C.E.O. Bert Wood.
WSPD Chief Scott Cunningham believes it takes a whole community to change its culture. "Partnering with groups like Wake Forest Athletics, ISP Sports, and Drug-Free NC allow the department to be proactive instead of reactive. We can deliver important and timely information to our citizens while they’re out enjoying the best of what Winston-Salem has to offer."
Some of the activities happening in Winston-Salem are:
- Promotional interactions and giveaways during Wake Forest football tailgates
- Messages on the Wake Forest ISP Sports Network (radio)
- Internet interactions on wakeforestsports.cstv.com
- WSPD outreach during Wake Forest football and basketball seasons
- Digital marquee messaging
- Lighting of the LJVM Coliseum in red
Money seized in drug busts is funding several of these citywide initiatives.
Download 28_red_october
DRUG FREE NC RECEIVES NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ALLIANCE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
For Immediate Release
September 15, 2009
New York, NY - The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is pleased to announce that Drug Free NC has earned the 2008/2009 Partnership Alliance Achievement Award. This national award recognizes Drug Free NC’s comprehensive, proactive and innovative approaches to supporting drug and alcohol abuse prevention throughout the Carolinas.
Drug-Free NC is one of only five local Alliances to win this award. "We are honored to receive the Partnership Alliance Achievement Award," said Bert Wood, C.E.O of Partnership for a Drug-Free NC. "It is truly gratifying to know that our efforts as a purveyor of social message education make a difference in people’s lives."
"Grassroots efforts are vital to changing attitudes about drug and alcohol abuse, educating individuals about health risks, and effectively changing behaviors. Local solutions almost always prove to be the most effective. Drug Free NC’s expertise and involvement as our steadfast partner bring Partnership education programs to life in a way that no national organization could ever accomplish working alone," said Stephen Pasierb, President and CEO, Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
Drug-Free NC created partnerships like no other in the country with the Winston-Salem Dash Baseball Club and the Winston-Salem Police Department, using money seized in drug busts to fund drug education. In addition, Drug-Free NC utilizes the Drug-Free Junior Bulls in Durham to reach families and at risk youth. This fall, DFNC kicks off football season with several universities to bring attention to binge drinking and sober driving, highlighting its comprehensive efforts to bring awareness to substance abuse.
Download 27_pdfa_achievement
Download the letter from PDFA CEO Stephen J. Pasierb