Currently, there is a nationwide campaign regarding teen prescription drug abuse. I have copied below a memo from our Friendswood Alliance for Youth and Families Coordinator, Lynn Shigekawa. Mrs. Shigekawa is asking for your input in the effectiveness of this campaign. If you would take the time to e-mail your reactions to her, we would certainly appreciate it!

Teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a "safe" high. Especially troubling is that the majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs say they are easy to get and are often free.

Most teens who abuse prescription drugs say they get them from home, or from friends and relatives. We need parents to recognize that not all drug threats to their teens come from the street corner. Prescription drugs are in practically every home and parents can have an immediate impact on stopping teen prescription drug abuse.

The effort also includes the following advertising and non-advertising elements, which will unfold in the coming months and continue through May of this year, reaching more than 90 percent of the target parent audience:

• Two television ads (first of which launched during Super Bowl viewing) will run on 27 networks nationwide for more than two months;
• An Open Letter to parents in 43 national and regional newspapers such as The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and The Los Angeles Times endorsed by 11 leading health, medical, prevention, and educational organizations;
• Two Open Letter ads targeting health and school professionals in medical and educational publications running for 2 months;
• Two print ads targeting parents in 14 national magazines and running for 4 months;
• Online banner ads and search engine advertising for parents running for 4 months and driving to the Campaign's Web site for parents www.TheAntiDrug.com;
• Targeted messages on prescription information sheets for commonly abused substances in 15,000 pharmacies nationwide during February and March.
• Featured content on www.TheAntiDrug.com, including a virtual house tour showing "danger zones" in the home, as well as tips on safeguarding and disposing of prescription and OTC drugs;
• A new, comprehensive brochure on teen prescription drug abuse for parents; and
• A tool kit to help community groups implement local prescription drug abuse prevention efforts.

Enjoy your break! If you are traveling over the holidays, we wish you a safe journey. Enjoy the time with your families.