Pubdate: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 1999 Associated Press Note: Additional information can also be found at: http://www.mediacampaign.org/ Cited: http://www.theantidrug.com/ Related: Partnership for Drug-policy Facts and Alternatives: http://www.pdfa.net/ WHITE HOUSE DRUG CZAR ANNOUNCES NEW WEB SITE Barry R. McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) introduced a new Web site devoted exclusively to parents who want to learn how to communicate with their kids about illicit drugs. This new Web site: http://www.theantidrug.com expands upon ONDCP's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's new advertising themes that focus on love, trust, honesty and communication. Theantidrug.com highlights the four key themes with front screen icons and flash animation. Clicking on an icon gives parents the opportunity to study topics such as ''how do you answer the question 'did you ever do drugs?''' or ''how to build an ongoing dialogue with kids about difficult subjects.'' Response information is linked to eleven key parenting tips featured on the site, including how to: - -- Make clear and consistent family rules - -- Make your position (on dangerous substances) clear - -- Praise and reward positive behavior - -- Help your child deal with peer pressure - -- Be a good role model ''Parents today face many challenges when raising children,'' Director McCaffrey said. ''ONDCP has worked with behavioral science experts to develop tips and suggestions to help guide parents in the best ways to help their child maintain a healthy lifestyle free of dangerous substances like drugs, alcohol and tobacco.'' ''This new Web site is part of a multifaceted communications effort which brings together scientific fact in a form parents can understand and easily use. Theantidrug.com is one place where parents can go to get preventative information at home or at work -- right there on their desktop,'' said McCaffrey. The site also allows parents to download or order a brochure in English or Spanish called, ''Parenting Skills: 21 Tips & Ideas to Help You Make a Difference.'' A companion Spanish language web site will be introduced later this year. Other facets of theantidrug communications campaign can be found in more than 140 media markets nationwide in magazine, newspaper and outdoor ads. In 1997, with bipartisan support of the Congress and the President, ONDCP created the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, an effort designed to educate and empower all youth to reject illicit drugs. The Campaign relies on ads developed by the Partnership for a Drug Free America. In less than two years, the Campaign's messages have become ubiquitous in the lives of America's youth and their parents. From network television advertisements to school-based educational materials, from youth basketball backboards to Internet Web sites, and from cultural community festivals to sitcom story lines, the Campaign's messages reach Americans wherever they are -- at work, at play, at school and at home. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake