| People in charge of public relations are always looking | | | | learning abilities, responsibility, and creativity. |
| for positive, low cost ways to build strong images for | | | | And, of course, the obvious is that the drug culture |
| their own firms or their customers. But finding | | | | does not limit its damage only to children. Many, many |
| something "new" is always not easy. Too many times, | | | | adults have been "hooked on drugs." |
| the projects are the same-o, same-o. | | | | That's where your PR program comes in strongly and |
| But the topic of fighting in the war against street drugs | | | | importantly. The key to preventing or minimizing the |
| is perfect for all businesses, professions, knife and fork | | | | influence of the druggies in society is EDUCATION. |
| clubs that support charities, not to mention youth | | | | The beginning of wisdom is to have educational |
| groups that seek projects that are vital to all of | | | | materials, such as booklets, that are chock full of facts |
| society. | | | | about the negative effects of getting started on the |
| First off, consider whether the project is really | | | | road to drug abuse and misuse. |
| important by reading just a few facts about drugs: | | | | As a thinking person, you know that the growth of the |
| 1. By survey, 45% of the children in public schools in the | | | | street drug culture is, arguably, our number one societal |
| U.S. have tried drugs or alcohol, or are using them, by | | | | problem. Everyone knows that, but they don't know |
| the 8th grade. | | | | how to put their shoulder to the wheel to support |
| 2. Too often, parents believe their son or daughter | | | | anti-drug programs. As a PR person, all you need to |
| would never take drugs, only to find out too late that | | | | do is choose an anti-drug program for your customers |
| their child already has a problem. Unfortunately, parents | | | | and you'll be highly respected for your leadership. |
| are the last to know. | | | | Putting drug's negative facts into every household so |
| 3. Two out of every five 8th graders have taken | | | | families and friends can read them is the most broadly |
| alcohol and nearly one out of five has used alcohol in | | | | effective way to slow down the druggies and their |
| the past 30 days. | | | | life-threatening messages. When accepting new |
| 4. By the 12th grade, more than half have used illicit | | | | challenges, someone once said, "You've got to start |
| drugs. (Consider the thousands of pro-drug messages | | | | from where you're at." It's the same with spreading the |
| that viewers and readers are subjected to via the | | | | facts about drugs throughout society. The more |
| media: Suggestions in movies, magazine ads that | | | | people who hear and read the "truth about drugs," the |
| portray drinking and smoking as living the good life, and | | | | better chance society has of fighting the good fight in |
| the constant pounding of such messages 24/7.) | | | | the war against drugs. |
| 5. The temptation of the drug-pusher is that, "Go | | | | So, as a PR person who has supported such |
| ahead and try it. Once won't hurt you." That's false. | | | | programs in the past as sending out calendars to |
| Even marijuana is bad for the body and mind. | | | | customers (that are thrown away) or giving out pens |
| Marijuana's smoke has more than 400 chemicals, and | | | | that don't really work very well, choose a project in |
| 60 of these have been proven to cause cancer. | | | | which you are handing out anti-drug literature that |
| Moreover, when a person smokes pot, several things | | | | contains fact-based information on why drugs are bad |
| happen: 1) there is an almost immediate burn-up of | | | | for your adult friends, yourself, your children. |
| vitamins and minerals in the body, and 2) the nerves in | | | | Once people catch on to what you've done, you will |
| the body go numb. The FACT is that marijuana | | | | be amazed at the strong, positive public relations |
| affects the nerves, the lungs, and the brain. Moreover, | | | | image that redounds to your own group, business or |
| since drugs are stored in the fatty tissues of the body | | | | client. It's really a no-brainer. |
| for a lifetime (lacking treatment), they stifle motivation, | | | | |