ARIZONA, April 12, 2006 -- The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Arizona Chapter, recognizes the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Arizona Parent Partners Program. Arizona Parent Partners is a multi-faceted media and community education campaign dedicated to providing guidance to families about drug use.

Arizona Parent Partners launched in April 2005 with 11 parents and has grown to 43 parents who have provided 34 drug awareness presentations in the community that have reached nearly 1,300 attendees.

“I know firsthand the impact that drugs can have on a family and the community,” said Barbara Blalock Arizona Parent Partner. “It is important that parents unite together to make a difference on this growing problem.”

The Arizona Parent Partners program goes beyond the traditional approach to drug prevention. The program is designed so that parents can learn from other parents’ experiences. Arizona Parent Partners serve as ambassadors to discuss with other parents the warning signs of drug use, drug trends, what drugs look like, slang names, etc. The Parents also convey to the audience that the average age of first drug use in Arizona is just 13 years old. Parent Partner presentations have taken place across the Valley including schools, parent/teacher organizations, places of worship and the workplace. Arizona Parent Partners receive specialized training on the health consequences of drug use, identifying drug use and effective parenting strategies for raising drug-free children.

“Parents really do have an impact on youth drug use and that’s why the Parent Partners are so important,” said Shelly Mowrey, program and marketing director for The Partnership’s Arizona chapter. “Research shows that children who learn about the dangers of drug use from a parent are half as likely to try.”

Arizona Parent Partners continues to look for new members. To join Arizona Parent Partners contact Mowrey at The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Arizona Chapter at (602) 436-5573 or by e-mail at shelly_mowrey@drugfree.org.