What began in 1986 as a three-year endeavor to “unsell” drugs to the American public has turned into the largest public service campaign in our nation’s history. Putting to use all major media outlets, including TV, radio, print advertisements and the Internet, along with the pro-bono work of the country’s best advertising agencies, the Partnership’s anti-drug messages have been able to reach the public on local and national levels for the past 20 years.

Kicking-Off the Celebratation
To celebrate the accomplishments and longevity of our organization, the Partnership kicked off its 20th anniversary at its annual Gala held on November 27 2006 at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. The Partnership honored Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner of Baseball, and also recognized Daniel B. Burke (retired president and CEO, Capital Cities/ABC, Inc.), Thomas S. Murphy

One of the most effective drug-education groups in the U.S. -- The New York Times

(chairman and CEO emeritus, Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. and retired member of the board of directors, The Walt Disney Company) and the American Association of Advertising Agencies with Pioneer Awards for their pivotal roles in helping to give birth to the Partnership in 1986.

20 Years of Making a Difference
Throughout its two decades, the Partnership has grown from simple advertising into a drug prevention and treatment resource, existing to help reduce illicit drug use in America by reaching out to those whose lives have been changed forever by drug abuse and encouraging families to live healthy, drug-free lives. Our educational programs and grassroots efforts in communities across the country are doing just this:

• Adolescent drug use in America is down by 19% in just the past 4 years.
  
• The use of illicit drugs has fallen by almost a third

  Let’s not forget the media can also play a very positive role in influencing the attitudes of our young people about the unacceptability of using drugs. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has proven that over and over again. ... These messages are working to change attitudes. They can make a difference. -- President William J. Clinton

  since we started in 1987
  
• There has been significant and lasting declines in use of specific drugs targeted by our programs – including ecstasy, cocaine, heroin and marijuana.