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Street Drug Awareness |
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Looking apple-cheeked and blithely innocent, as one might expect of any class of nine and ten-year-olds, the Level-4 students at MacDonald Elementary hardly seem likely to know anything about «uppers», «downers» and «pushers». But don't bet on it! «What is the most commonly abused drug in this country» asks Penny Miller, «the homeroom teacher». Several hands shoot up. «It's alcohol» volunteers Susan Warshaw. «Right, Susan, alcohol is a drug and it, rather than cocaine or heroin, causes the most teenage deaths.» «Is drug abuse increasing or decreasing?» Miller asks again. «Increasing,» chirps Todd Harding promptly. « About one hundred and five percent in the past four years. That's a lot.» It sure is, Todd, a whole heck of a lot. Which is the point of this special exercise. To teach youngsters like you that the world out there is not always as straight as it should be. There are things to be learned, important life-saving things you can't always find in books. The Candyman is not always a nice guy. For instance, a recent survey of 141 schools revealed that there were more than 400 dealers on the job, in those schools alone! «These are frightful, scary odds,» says Miller, visibly concerned, «especially considering that a couple of years back many of my kids still believed in Santa Claus. That's why I'm so glad about «The Self-Destructive Use of Drugs» awareness poster - it's an excellent tool for teaching the children about the dangers of drugs. I think of it as preventative medicine.» «The poster» has already received national and international acclaim from over 100 of the world's governments, as well as from business and educational leaders. Its is a large, visually charged, highly informative and vibrantly colored graphic that hangs on the wall, providing a focal point for discussion, thus fueling earnest exchanges between students and teachers. Entitled : «The Self-Destructive Use of Drugs», it was conceived and developed by THE INTERNATIONAL DRUG AWARENESS RESEARCH FOUNDATION (IDARF). The giant- format, 19" x 28", full-color poster is strikingly visual and highly effective. It took two years to develop and was vetted and endorsed by numerous government and medical agencies. The illustrated text targets the 12 main areas of drug abuse, from the staples like caffeine, tobacco and alcohol, right on through to marijuana, steroids, barbiturates, amphetamines, inhalants, «Ecstacy,» LSD, cocaine and heroin. The language is concise, factual and non-judgemental and it outlines symptoms of use and the resulting effects and behavioral changes that can occur. It is something that kids can absorb, solemn-eyed and serious, aware that the subject is just that : Very serious. Tom Zatylny, president of the international, non-profit IDARF, understands the reaction well &endash; high-impact graphics combined with straight hard facts are what make the poster so compelling. «Most posters get little more than a passing glance. But this one makes people stop and read. Why? Because it's a topic that touches everyone, every family, every group and every company» emphasizes Zatylny. Considering that one employee in twelve is currently involved in some form of illegal drug use, that 70 to 90 percent of all crimes are drug and alcohol related, that the cost to society of treatment and lost productivity is in the billions of dollars; and that the drug trade itself generates some $400 billion per year in illicit revenue, a figure that continues to soar, Zatylny's point is not hard to grasp. «Kids are dying by the hour out there,» he adds, «and government alone can't stop it. It takes everyone's massive participation. These posters are just a start, but they belong everywhere, in every community, in every place the public goes. We have to get these urgent facts across to everyone!» Zatylny cites Bill Clinton addressing the world drug problem : «We believe attitudes drive actions. Therefore we wage first the battle in the minds of our young people.» Just so! To get the posters out there and start saving lives, the foundation depends on sponsorship on all levels, from small and medium size businesses to large corporations and institutions, right down to individuals and groups. Individuals who sponsor «The Self-Destructive Use of Drugs» awareness poster will get the personal satisfaction of donating something lasting to a deserving cause. Businesses can benefit directly from the posters by using it as a hi-impact, long-term marketing vehicle with a customized advertisement printed on each poster. All sponsors receive an impressive personalized «Certificate of Recognition», citing their unique contribution to the use of drug awareness education. But more important are the priceless benefits of helping one's neighbors and making the community a better, safer place for everyone. This holds true especially for young people like nine-year old Robbie Prescott, fresh out of class. What did he learn today? «That drugs are bad» he says, making a face. «Real bad, Yuch!» Is THE INTERNATIONAL DRUG AWARENESS RESEARCH FOUNDATION (IDARF) coming to your community? I certainly hope so,« says Joe Smith, a resident and business owner in a municipality that recently received a copy of «The Self-Destructive Use of Drugs». He fully supports the program that awakened his community to the growing reality of substance abuse which is damaging and destroying thousands of lives daily. «I appreciate the program. It makes for safer streets, happier citizens,» said another resident,«but more importantly human lives are being saved. It belongs in every community.» It is well known in the field that wide-spread dissemination of high-quality and accessible information such as «The Self-Destructive Use of Drugs» has a positive and dramatic impact on the level of drug awareness and education, especially among young people. This explains why THE INTERNATIONAL DRUG AWARENESS RESEARCH FOUNDATION (IDARF) is offering a Special contest to stimulate student's involvement in promoting drug awareness in the classroom. Tom Zatylny believes that everyone, especially parents and teachers, not just governments, need to work closely together in a partnership to help carry the message on substance abuse. He points out : «our future world is in the hands of these kids.»
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