FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jennifer de Vallance (ONDCP) 202–395–6618
Sarah Ingram (Rogers & Associates)
310–552–6922
Monday, February 11, 2002
Race Car Driver Jimmy Spencer Joins National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign to Help Keep Kids Off Drugs
NASCAR Star Will Promote Resources Available to Parents
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced today that NASCAR driver Jimmy Spencer will partner with the agency's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. Spencer and his family will help demonstrate to America's youth the benefits of staying drug free and promote resources available to parents for preventing drug use.
Spencer kicks off his participation in the youth drug-use prevention effort at a press conference on February 11. The announcement precedes the Daytona 500, often referred to as "NASCAR's Super Bowl." NASCAR has a growing fan base of 75 million, three million of which are teenagers, the Media Campaign's target audience.
"The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign encourages youth to seek out the positive things in their lives that stand between them and drugs," said John P. Walters, Director of ONDCP. "We know that for many young people, sports like NASCAR represent a powerful anti-drug. Having Jimmy Spencer as part of our youth anti-drug campaign team is going to amplify drug prevention messages to kids and their parents. I thank him for his commitment to this effort."
In a study of teen attitudes about drug use (Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 1999, Partnership for a Drug-Free America), teens cited their parents as one of the most influential factors in their decision not to use drugs. Two-thirds of young people ages 13 to 17 (67%) said that an important reason they don't smoke marijuana or use other drugs is fear that their parents would lose respect for them and lose pride in their actions. The Media Campaign provides free resources to parents on how to talk to their kids about drugs.
Spencer, who has been a NASCAR driver since 1988, is particularly supportive of the Media Campaign's focus on family involvement. "NASCAR racing has always been a sport that appeals to the entire family," Spencer said. "More and more kids are coming to the track with their parents and families are watching the races together on television. I can't think of a better way to use NASCAR's growing popularity than to keep our kids away from dangerous drugs."
Spencer, his wife Pat, and their teenage children, Katrina and Jimmy Jon, plan to use media interviews and appearances throughout the 2002 race season to spread Media Campaign drug prevention messages to youth and parents, with an emphasis on encouraging families to spend more time together. The Jimmy Spencer Web site, www.jimmyspencer.net, now includes links to the Media Campaign's Web site for parents, www.theantidrug.com, and for youth, www.freevibe.com.
