Press Releases
Contact: Graham Thomas FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 412-779-1572
Email:ggt2@pitt.edu
TEENAGE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE SEMINARS
Seminars to be Held in Local High Schools to Educate Parents and Students
Pittsburgh, Pa.- The organization Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse (PATPDA) will be holding a series of seminars at several school districts in the Pittsburgh region educating parents of the dangers of prescription drug abuse. The seminar schedule will begin at Carlynton High School in Carnegie on March 28, 2008. Parents of students in the district are encouraged to attend.
Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem among teenagers. In 2006, a survey conducted by the Partnership for a Drug Free America found that nearly 20%, or 4.5 million, of teens have admitted to using prescription drugs for non-medical use. Additionally, 31% of teens believe that “there is nothing wrong with using prescription drugs to get high and 40% believe that prescription medications are much safer than illicit “street drugs” such as heroin and cocaine. In reality, prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin are very similar to the chemical makeup of heroin and have like characteristics of addiction, abuse, and lethal possibilities.
Many parents are unaware of the problem and severely underestimate the risks of Rx drugs. It is believed that 70% of abused prescription drugs are acquired from family medicine cabinets that are poorly safeguarded.
The seminars aim to educate parents by presenting facts and statistics accompanied by tragic personal stories of families crushed by teens using prescription drugs. Furthermore, the seminars will teach parents how to safeguard their teens and prevent this problem from continuing to rise. The first step to impeding this problem is to educate parents so that they may further educate and protect their children.
Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse is a non-profit organization attempting to educate parents and teenagers to further prevent prescription drug abuse in the U.S. Originated in 2006, PATPDA has reached thousands of Americans throughout the east coast. The organization’s goal is to inform Americans with factual information regarding prescription drugs and how to prevent abuse among teens. For more information visit the website at www.PATPDA.com.
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I intend this press release to be sent to local newspapers in the Pittsburgh area, such as Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Tribune Review, and the City Paper.
Contact: Graham Thomas FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 412-779-1572
Email:ggt2@pitt.edu
NEW OUTLINE TO PREVENT TEEN RX DRUG ABUSE
Ways for Parents to Safeguard Prescription Drugs at Home
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse (PATPDA) has outlined several steps for parents to prevent their children from abusing prescription drugs. These precautions should be observed and followed by all households, not just families with teens.
In a survey given by the Partnership for a Drug Free America found that 3 out of 5 teenagers agree that Rx drugs are easily available in their family’s medicine cabinet.
It is believed that 70% of Rx drugs abused by teens are acquired from family medicine cabinets. With prescription medications being the number one most abused drugs by teens in America, the PATPDA is attempting to educate parents so that they may protect their children from prescription drug abuse.
The outline will consist of several safety measures intended on making prescription drugs less accessible to teens. It will teach parents the importance of properly handling Rx drugs and describes ways to safeguard them from teens. Disposing of unused drugs and monitoring Rx drugs are just some of the ways parents can safeguard their teens from the potential dangers of prescription drug abuse.
Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse is a non-profit organization attempting to educate parents and teenagers to further prevent prescription drug abuse in the U.S. Originated in 2006, PATPDA has reached thousands of Americans throughout the east coast. The organization’s goal is to inform Americans with factual information regarding prescription drugs and how to prevent abuse among teens. For more information visit the website at www.PATPDA.com.
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I intend this press release to be sent to local television stations in Pittsburgh, such as KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE.
Contact: Graham Thomas FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 412-779-1572
Email:ggt2@pitt.edu
BARACK OBAMA ANNOUNCES STANCE ON TEEN DRUG ABUSE
Agrees Parents Need to be Educated to Protect Their Children
Washington D.C. – Presidential candidate Barak Obama responded to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America by announcing his stance on teenage prescription drug abuse and his plan to combat it. Obama recognizes the rising numbers of teens abusing Rx drugs and plans to address parents, “..our first line of defense against alcohol and drug abuse.” The candidate understands that some parents lack the knowledge and tools to talk to their children about drugs.
As President, Obama plans to provide parents with these tools and resources. He claims that parents need to be educated on substance abuse and the statistics early on, so they can protect their children in the vulnerable teenage years. “Parents need to strike up conversation with their kids and warn them against the perils of drug use. And as President, I will ask parents to do this.” With backing from the Partnership for a Drug Free America, Obama will propagate the issues surrounding prescription drug use and how to prevent it at home.
In a survey given by the Partnership for a Drug Free America found that 3 out of 5 teenagers agree that Rx drugs are easily available in their family’s medicine cabinet.
With prescription medications being the number one most abused drugs among teens in America, Obama agrees that educating parents is the first step to protect teens from Rx drugs. Senator Obama also supports afterschool programs that teach children about drug abuse. He plans to increase federal funding to these programs that have had proven success.
Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse is a non-profit organization attempting to educate parents and teenagers to further prevent prescription drug abuse in the U.S. Originated in 2006, PATPDA has reached thousands of Americans throughout the east coast. The organization’s goal is to inform Americans with factual information regarding prescription drugs and how to prevent abuse among teens. For more information visit the website at www.PATPDA.com.
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This is intended for websites that post presidential candidate issues and stances.
Contact: Graham Thomas FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 412-779-1572
Email:ggt2@pitt.edu
NEW ANTI PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE AD CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF
Targeting Parents Using TV and Newspapers
NEW YORK – The Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse (PATPDA) is launching its new federally funded advertising campaign to combat Rx drug abuse among teenagers. Aimed at parents, the ad campaign will include television, print, and online advertising. The ads will direct parents to online and print resources to help them prevent the increasing Rx drug abuse problem. The project will be funded by a $10 million dollar government grant.
Prescription drug abuse is the most abused drug among teens in America and the numbers are increasing. In 2006, nearly twenty percent (4.5 million) teens were reported to have used prescription drugs for non-medical use. The problem lies with parents and teens having a false sense of safety regarding Rx drugs. Rx pain relievers, such as Oxycontin, are very similar to the chemical makeup and potency of heroin. A survey given by The Partnership for a Drug Free America, shows that 40% of teens wrongly believe that abusing prescription drugs are safer than using illegal street drugs such as, heroin and cocaine.
Research shows that parents are largely unaware of the problem. Only one third of parents have discussed prescription drug abuse with their teens. Furthermore, ignorant parents are leaving Rx drugs in medicine cabinets making access to drugs easy for teens. The survey also shows that three out of five students say that Rx drugs are easy to get from medicine cabinets at home.
The ad campaign is designed to educate parents about the problem and direct them to useful tools and resources to help them prevent their teens from Rx drug abuse. The campaign will air several primetime television commercials and newspaper ads that will direct viewers to the PATPDA website, where they can get more information.
Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse is a non-profit organization attempting to educate parents and teenagers to further prevent prescription drug abuse in the U.S. Originated in 2006, PATPDA has reached thousands of Americans throughout the east coast. The organization’s goal is to inform Americans with factual information regarding prescription drugs and how to prevent abuse among teens. For more information visit the website at www.PATPDA.com.
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This press release is for nationwide news stations such as Fox, NBC, CBS, and CNN.
Contact: Graham Thomas FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 412-779-1572
Email:ggt2@pitt.edu
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADOPT NEW ANTI DRUG PLAN
Pittsburgh Public Schools Plan to Teach Students the Facts About Drugs
PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh Public School District plans to adopt a new anti-drug abuse program into their health classes. Created by the Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse (PATPDA), the new program will provide students with factual information on drugs, rather than just telling them that drugs are “bad”. The program will also have a greater focus on Rx drug abuse, which has been previously overlooked.
It is inevitable for some teens to experiment with drugs, and PATPDA and the Pittsburgh Public School District feel that giving teens all the information on drugs will help them make better and safer decisions. The program intends to give students factual information about all drugs because the more students know, the safer they will be.
The new anti drug abuse program has been implemented in numerous school districts around the country. The program has had tremendous positive feedback from parents, students, and teachers. With factual knowledge, students can make educated decisions rather than experimenting with drugs they know nothing about. The consequences of using drugs without knowledge of proper doses, effects, or benefits are much more dangerous.
The program will also stress the importance of safe prescription drug use. Prescription drug abuse is the most abused drug among teens in America and the numbers are increasing. In 2006, nearly twenty percent (4.5 million) teens were reported to have used prescription drugs for non-medical use. The problem lies with teens having a false sense of safety regarding Rx drugs. Rx pain relievers, such as Oxycontin, are very similar to the chemical makeup and potency of heroin. A survey given by The Partnership for a Drug Free America, shows that 40% of teens wrongly believe that abusing prescription drugs are safer than using illegal street drugs such as, heroin and cocaine. The PATPDA organization feels that teens need to understand the benefits of drugs as well as the consequences.
The program will begin at the start of the 2008-2009 school years. Parents are encouraged to give the PATPDA and the school district feedback on the upcoming changes. Meetings will be scheduled this summer to inform parents about the new program and for parents to voice their opinions.
Parents Against Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse is a non-profit organization attempting to educate parents and teenagers to further prevent prescription drug abuse in the U.S. Originated in 2006, PATPDA has reached thousands of Americans throughout the east coast. The organization’s goal is to inform Americans with factual information regarding prescription drugs and how to prevent abuse among teens. For more information visit the website at http://www.patpda.com/.
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This press release is designed for local television stations and newspapers.
