'DON'T DO DRUGS'

Program Delivers Message To Youths

Illegal drugs sell at every street corner, convenient store parking lot and
school, said David Culbertson, former drug user.

To combat the invasion, noted Houston advertising executive Earl Littman
introduced the Drugs Kill program in Fort Bend Independent School District
elementary schools in May. The campaign aims to keep children drug-free from
first grade through high school (and afterwards) with incentives.

"Today, 50 percent of high school students have tried some type of illegal
substance, but we hope this campaign creates the first drug-free class of
2010," said Littman.

Drugs stay within close proximity to children in Fort Bend schools, said
Littman. When he introduced the campaign at Quail Valley Elementary School
in Missouri City on May 4, a 7-year-old boy shared that another little boy
recently offered him inhalants.

"Drugees love to trap kids, by giving them free samples, telling them it's
cool and will make them relax," said Littman.

But the Drugs Kill campaign reverses the drug dealer's enticements by
telling children that drugs kill careers, families and neighborhood. The
program is unique as it asks both children and parents to sign the pledge
card. Research shows parent involvement in a child's life reduces drug use
by 40 percent, said Littman.

The program begins to instill the anti-drug message from the first grade, as
compared to other campaigns which reach children starting in middle school,
he said. Additionally, children periodically receive quarterly rewards for
avoiding drugs. Upon graduation, students qualify to apply for a $1,000
scholarship to college.

"In the campaign, we want to reward good behavior," said Littman, an Uptown
resident. "We also tell the kids at a very early age not to take drugs or
accept anything from strangers."

Participating Fort Bend County elementary schools include Blue Ridge, Quail
Valley, Brazos Bend, Ridgemont, Lakeview, Sugar Mill, Mission Bend,
Townewest and Palmer.

"Drugs Kill is different from other anti-drug campaigns as it tells children
that they matter," said Vickie Rockwell, first-grade teacher at Quail Valley
Elementary. "The program is determined to mentor children, be there for them
and check on them for 12 years so that they remain drug-free."

In addition to pledge cards and incentives, children receive posters of
local athletes encouraging a sober lifestyle. Littman said he hopes a poster
is placed in every child's bedroom.

"It's very hard to get through to teen-agers," said Culbertson, who lives in
West University. "So it's good the Drugs Kill program begins early."

By sharing his personal story, Culbertson often joins Littman in promoting
Drugs Kill. Culbertson said he used drugs as an escape from traumatic
experiences he suffered as a 15-year-old youth. However, the addiction
became a vicious cycle of getting high, withdrawals, denial and once again
getting high.

Then, after not being able to hold a steady job and ruining family
relationships, Culbertson entered treatment at the age of 37. It was a long
journey to recovery, but now at age 48, Culbertson has transformed.
Currently, he is the president of his own forklift company, Forklift
Technology Systems.

"I'll tell people that drugs turns normal, sane people into animals," said
Culbertson. "Even if you are predisposed to drugs (have a family history of
it), you can avoid drug addiction if you abstain from it."

Littman initiated Drugs Kill in 1997 when the U.S. Justice Department
approached him about a campaign. The department originally asked him to
create a billboard. However, Littman said he believed this wasn't enough to
influence children so he expanded the program.

Today, he devotes his entire time and efforts to Drugs Kill and aims to
reach youth organizations such as Girls Scouts and Boys Scouts, schools,
churches and any place children may go. Various foundations, private
donations and grants fund the program with an annual budget of $220,000.

"Every penny goes to keeping children off of drugs, as there is no salaries,
overhead or rent," said Littman.

Since its inception, more than 200,000 pledge cards have been distributed
with 4,000 children in the Houston area having returned pledge cards
declaring their drug-free lifestyle, said Littman. Littman said he believes
the campaign has reached at least 1 million children.

"I know this program will work because I've seen how (campaigns such as)
designated drivers, wearing seat belts have entered public consciousness in
the past few years."

For information on Drugs Kill, contact Littman at 713-621-7678.