The PSA targets parents to prevent drug use among Oregon youth
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger and the Portland Trail Blazers today announced a new public service announcement designed to combat drug abuse among youth and encourage parents to help their children succeed. The PSA features Attorney General Kroger and Portland Trail Blazers all-star Brandon Roy.
“Scientific research shows that the most effective way to stop children from using drugs is to educate their parents,” said Attorney General Kroger. “With scarce dollars for drug prevention, we need to make sure we are using proven methods.”
The script for the PSA was developed with the assistance of the Oregon Research Institute (ORI), an independent behavioral sciences research center based in Eugene, Oregon. ORI research scientists study topics such as behavioral problems in children, teen substance abuse, and adolescent depression.
“Much of the messaging on substance abuse that targets teenagers falls flat,” explains Dr. Anthony Biglan director of the Center for Community Interventions on Childrearing, at ORI. “But we find that when we emphasize parental monitoring and setting limits on kids it helps parents prevent risky behavior among teenagers.”
Attorney General Kroger is Chairman of the Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, which was established by the 2009 Oregon Legislature to develop a comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy for the state. The commission brings together state leaders, law enforcement and treatment providers in an unprecedented effort to reduce crime by developing a statewide plan to more effectively fund and deliver substance abuse treatment and prevention services across the state.
Attorney General Kroger traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with Vice President Biden’s staff and officials from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to talk about Oregon’s innovative approach to reforming drug treatment and prevention. The ONDCP oversees the National Drug Control Strategy and coordinates the efforts of Federal, State, and local entities to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences.
“I have tremendous respect for all the work Attorney General Kroger has done for our state,” said Roy. “As a parent, getting the message out to parents to talk to their kids about drugs and alcohol is something that is very important to me.”
Roy, a father of two, has had a growing influence on Portland-area youth. He is one of six NBA players on the NBA FIT team; an initiative aims to inspire kids to pledge to live healthier lives by being physically active and making healthy food and life choices. On January 9, he hosted an NBA FIT Clinic for 100 kids in North Portland.
Additional resources for parents are available at the Oregon Department of Justice’s Web site and from the Center on Early Adolescence, an alliance of behavioral science professionals and organizations funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.
Contact:
Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us
Kris Koivisto, Portland Trail Blazers, 503-797-9783