IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Cusato
Ph: (603) 496-7481
[email protected]
Partnership for a Drug-Free NH Launches Edgy
2014 Youth Prevention Campaign
March 13, 2014 (Concord, NH) – The Partnership for a Drug-Free NH (PDFNH) unveiled their
new 2014 Youth Prevention Campaign at the State House today, alongside Governor Maggie
Hassan, who has endorsed the initiative. The edgy campaign includes startling images and
statistics and is intended to wake up and shake up parents and caregivers of children ages nine
to seventeen in New Hampshire, driving them to learn more about the growing problem of
youth drug and alcohol abuse in our state.
“In order to maintain New Hampshire’s status as one of the safest, healthiest and most livable
states in the nation, we must address the rising rates of substance abuse among our young
people,” Governor Hassan said. “By raising awareness, this powerful initiative will enhance our
prevention efforts, improving lives while strengthening our families and communities.”
The statistics surrounding the problem speak for themselves, with one in every five high school
students in New Hampshire having admitted to abusing prescription drugs. New Hampshire
also ranked 2nd in the nation for past month alcohol use among 12-20 year olds and in the top
ten states for past month marijuana use among the same group.
In September 2013, PDFNH commissioned an online survey of 200 parents of children age 9-17.
This sampling of parents represented a diverse selection of economic and educational
backgrounds from communities all over the state. Although 88% of parents surveyed said they
were concerned about alcohol and drug abuse among NH youths, only 33% think that it is a
significant problem here in NH.
“PDFNH and all of the supporters of our 2014 campaign are dedicated to educating parents
regarding the magnitude of the substance abuse problem among teens and tweens in the
Granite State, and giving them the tools they need to help protect their children” said Jennifer
Cusato, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Hampshire.
In addition to the backing of Governor Hassan and Timothy Rourke, Chairman of the Governor’s
Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment, the campaign is
supported by numerous “Champions” throughout the state, including US Senator Jeanne
Shaheen; US Senator Kelly Ayotte; Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter; Congresswoman Ann
McLane Kuster; Jeanie Forrester, NH State Senator; Terie Norelli, NH House Speaker; Richard
Ober, President and CEO of the NH Charitable Foundation; Jeffrey Rose, Commissioner of the
Department of Resources and Economic Development; Attorney General Joseph Foster; Scott
Dunn, Deputy Director of the NH Liquor Commission, and many others.
This initiative is funded through a grant by the NH Charitable Foundation. More information on
the campaign can be found at www.ChecktheStatsNH.org.
About The Partnership for a Drug Free NH
The Partnership for a Drug Free NH (PDFNH) is an independent non-profit that coordinates
media efforts to empower New Hampshire citizens to make healthy choices, and to increase
awareness about substance issues in our state. The mission of the PDFNH is to develop and
communicate consistent state-wide messaging about the prevention of, treatment for and
recovery from alcohol and drug misuse and abuse. This is done through collaboration with
state agencies, organizations, and others concerned with the alcohol and drug issues in the
state of New Hampshire.
In the coming years, the PDFNH plans to expand its messaging to other target audiences, work
closely with its members to develop new initiatives, and grow into an organization that is
recognized throughout the state. Please visit drugfreenh.org or ChecktheStatsNH.org to learn
more.
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