How You Can Help

We hope that drugfree.org memorials inspires you to take action and help prevent another life from being tragically lost to alcohol or drug addiction.

Here are some ways you can help a friend, loved one and other people in your community become more aware of the risks of alcohol and drug addiction.
  1. Donate to the Partnership

    Your financial support today will allow us to continue to conduct research; address new threats facing America's youth, assist friends and family members to get help for loved ones in trouble with alcohol or drugs and to create programs that will make a difference. Please donate today.

  2. Educate Yourself

    Download a free copy of our drug chart, which lists the top 10 drugs being used by teens today. Find out what these drugs look like, how they're used, their slang terms, side effects and other helpful facts.

    Learn more about individual drugs by reading and sharing our latest educational brochures and online features:

    COUGH MEDICINE ABUSE (DXM)
    What Every Parent Needs to Know About Cough Medicine Abuse

    Free brochure: Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse (PDF)
    English | Spanish

    INHALANTS
    Parents Guide to Inhalants Prevention

    Free brochure: What Every Parent Needs to Know About... Inhalant Abuse (PDF)
    English | Spanish

    Rx/OTC
    Prescription Medicine Abuse: A Growing Problem

    Free brochure: Rx/OTC Misuse: Guide to Keeping Your Teen Safe (PDF)
    English | Spanish

    METH
    Meth Information and Resource Center

    Meth Fact Sheets (PDF)

    Find more educational resources visit our Guides, Books & Movies section

  3. Spread the Word

    • Once you've learned the facts about the risks of drugs and alcohol, talk about it with your friends, neighbors, co-workers and most importantly, your family.
    • Write letters to your local newspaper and television stations to encourage them to cover any drug- or alcohol-related stories – or share your personal experience with them.
    • Email your friends links to information and articles about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
    • Take advantage of encounters with neighbors at the supermarket, a school play, the movies or even while filling up your gas tank and talk about the drug and alcohol problem in your community.
    • Share educational materials with local area schools to assist teachers and administrators in spotting drug and alcohol use.
    • Download and share this brochure: Your Child Needs You: A Guide to Help Your Child Lead a Healthy Drug-Free Life (PDF) English | Spanish

  4. Be Alert

    • Look for signs of drug use, production and dealing throughout your neighborhood
    • Report suspicious activity to the police.

  5. Reach Out

    • Speak out at schools, libraries, public events, places of worship or any public community forum – anywhere you can educate others about the dangers of drugs. Write to newspapers and magazines and tell your story – especially if you have first hand experience with addiction.
    • Link to www.drugfree.org from your website.
    • Encourage family and friends in trouble with drug and alcohol use to get help
    • Volunteer to work with children who have lost their parents to drug or alcohol addiction or with social workers who work with children.

  6. Join a Community Group or Start One Of Your Own

    Towns and cities across the country have established community groups that can help spread the word about the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction. Search for one in your community, or start your own.

    Here's what one community group did to get their project off the ground.

  7. Get Help for a Loved One

    Do you know someone in trouble with alcohol or drugs? Don't wait – take action now. Sometimes even a short conversation can make a difference. Visit Hope, Help and Healing to learn ways you can help someone.

    You can also download this free brochure: Hope, Help & Healing: A guide to helping someone who might have a drug or alcohol problem