[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE ``PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG-FREE AMERICA'' ON THEIR 
                            20TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to take 
a moment to honor one of our most successful and important educational 
campaigns, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, for 20 years of 
outstanding service.
  Best known for its national drug-education campaigns, the Partnership 
for a Drug-Free America continues its mission to reduce illicit drug 
use in America by uniting communications professionals, renowned 
scientists, and parents.
  What began in 1986 as a 3-year endeavor to ``unsell'' drugs to the 
American public, has turned into the largest public service campaign in 
our Nation's history. The pro bono work of some of the country's best 
advertising agencies across all forms of media has allowed the 
Partnership's anti-drug message to reach the public on local and 
national levels for the past two decades.
  The organization first entered the wider public consciousness in 
1987, with its ``This is Your Brain on Drugs'' broadcast and print 
public service announcements, which used the analogy that if a person's 
brain were an egg, using drugs would be like frying that egg. Another 
PSA featured a television, a trip to Paris, and a new car all 
disappearing right under the nose of a cocaine user. Still another that 
year focused on how a drug-induced high is like diving into an empty 
swimming pool. All these commercials and print campaigns were praised 
in a speech given to those involved executively with PDFA by then-
President George H.W. Bush in late 1989.
  Since then, the Partnership has grown from simple advertising into a 
drug prevention and treatment resource. Parents and caregivers can 
request materials and teaching aids that they can use to effectively 
address drug and alcohol abuse with their children. A major new 
initiative now unfolding integrates the latest science and research 
with the most effective traditional media and digital communication 
techniques to give parents the tools, resources and support they need 
to help their children lead healthy lives. This effort--the first ever 
for the Partnership--will include a Web-based interactive information 
resource center, parent-to-parent support network, a national toll-free 
call center and user-friendly online/offline tools.
  Time and time again, the Partnership proves that the media industry 
can play a very positive role in influencing our young people to turn 
away from drugs. Fueled by their educational programs and grassroots 
community outreach efforts, the use of illicit drugs across the country 
has fallen by almost a third. Adolescent drug use alone is down by 19 
percent in just the past 4 years and 32 percent since its inception.
  To celebrate the accomplishments and longevity of the organization, 
the Partnership will kick off its 20th anniversary at its annual gala 
being held on November 27, 2007 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York 
City. The Partnership will honor William C. Weldon, chairman and CEO of 
the Johnson and Johnson Corporation.
  In light of this momentous occasion, I congratulate the staff and 
volunteers of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America on 20 years of 
influential service to our Nation. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
commending them for continuing on with their vision to raise awareness 
on how we can prevent substance abuse in our communities and make 
America a safer and sober place to live.

                          ____________________