Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: Bob Weiner / Jennifer de Vallance
202-395-6618
February 1, 2001
NATIONAL DRUG POLICY OFFICE COMMENDS CASA REPORT FOR CONFIRMING CRITICAL ROLE OF FAMILY
Washington, D.C.—The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) commended the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) for a report released today which confirms that parents are a critical weapon in the effort to keep America's youth drug-free. The report showed that "hands-off" parents quadruple the chances that their children aged 12 - 17 will smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs.
"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," ONDPC'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."
Jurith continued, "The CASA study underscores that the struggle against illegal drugs is a continuous process of education and prevention. By communicating openly, honestly, and frequently we can teach our children to avoid the threats to their health, safety, and futures that illicit drugs pose."
Jurith stated that additional data gathered by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign support the findings of the report. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 67 percent of teens who don't use drugs credit parental influence for helping them reach their decision. ONDCP's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign received more than 5,000 "What's Your Anti-Drug?" submissions from youth from September 2000 through January 20, 2001 that cited "family" as a major reason for staying drug-free.
