TELL KIDS THE TRUTH ON DRUGS

According to several nationally projectable studies -- including Monitoring the
Future -- teen drug use has declined nationwide since the launch of the
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. The Pride Survey cited by The Times
did not find any statistically significant increase in teen drug use; moreover,
Pride's findings came from students in just 24 states nationwide, California
not among them.

Several independent studies point to the efficacy of anti-drug advertising. A
study published in the American Journal of Public Health found exposure to
advertising from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America was associated with a
reduced probability of marijuana or cocaine use among adolescents. Researchers
at the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania
concluded that 80% of Partnership ads they tested either strengthened or
maintained anti-drug attitudes. Though the Partnership develops and donates
many ads for the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, it has no fiscal
interest in the effort. Our only concern remains helping kids and teens reject
the use of drugs.

Stephen J. Pasierb

President, Partnership for a Drug-Free America

New York City