Washington, D.C.—Youth across the country are resoundingly saying that their families are the number one deterrent to their getting involved in illegal substance abuse, according to an ongoing youth campaign, "What's Your Anti-Drug?" coordinated through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.
From September 1, 2000 through January 19, 2001, more than 75,000 Anti-Drug submissions - what youth identify as standing between them and drugs - were received by mail and through the campaign's Web site, www.whatsyourantidrug.com. To date, 5,164 respondents cite "family" as a major reason for staying drug-free. Other top "Anti-Drugs" include: friends (4,918), football (4,710), basketball (4,245), and soccer (2,017). By category, sports represent 30 percent of the total responses, followed by hobbies (16.3 percent), family/friends (14.3 percent), performing and creative arts (11.6 percent), music (10.7 percent), self-worth/motivational (7.9 percent), school and future (4.0 percent), computers and interactive (2.7 percent), faith (.8 percent), and other (1.7 percent).
"Youth tell us that their parents can empower them to make healthy decisions about drugs by educating them at an early age on the dangers of substance abuse," ONDCP's Acting Director Edward H. Jurith said. "Parents' words and actions are more effective than they may think in keeping their children away from drugs." A 1999 survey conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, reported that 42 percent of teens who don't use marijuana credit their parents for that decision over any other influence.
This Spring, eight national television, radio, and magazine ads will feature youth and their Anti-Drug submissions, including: drawing, "being myself," skateboarding, softball, animation, cross country running, poetry, and basketball. The Anti-Drug Web site, www.whatsyourantidrug.com is an interactive showcase of youth Anti-Drugs, and will continue to accept submissions indefinitely.
"What's Your Anti-Drug?" is an integrated communications effort designed to engage, educate and empower all youth to reject illicit drugs. The Campaign includes community outreach through the support of partnerships with 40 of the nation's largest and most recognizable multicultural and community organizations, and events in large cities involving thousands of local young people.
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