First-of-Its-Kind Blog Encourages Parent-To-Parent Dialogue

NEW YORK, Dec 21st – Partnership Parent Partners Kim Manlove and Ginger Katz are the first to share their personal stories through an online peer-to-peer forum, reminding other parents that drug abuse can affect any family.  The newest feature on the Partnership’s Web site, a first-of-its-kind interactive Parent weblog personally written by Manlove and Katz, further underscores the importance of talking to teens about the dangers of drugs.

The Partnership parent blogs are personal journals where each parent can share the experience of how drug abuse changed their families’ lives.  By communicating directly—and in their own words—with other parents, Manlove and Katz hope to help prevent other families from having suffering the tragic losses they have each endured. Manlove’s son David abused inhalants and was only 18 years old when he died in an inhalant-related accident; Katz’s 21-year-old son Ian died of a heroin overdose.

Kim Manlove’s weblog can be viewed at www.drugfree.typepad.com/kim, and Ginger Katz’s weblog at www.drugfree.typepad.com/ginger.

“When I began the weblog, I suspected it might have a cathartic effect for me, but the reality has far exceeded those expectations,” said Manlove. “The weblog is an incredible gift, one that allows me to voice my thoughts and memories in a way that gives them wings, and more importantly, may help other families rise above the clouds of despair and sorrow to where there is light and hope.”

“Many parents don't realize that information about drugs that comes from them will have a much greater impact on their kids than information from any other source,” said Joe Keenan, EVP and director of interactive and technology for the Partnership. “These blogs are an excellent place to encourage parents to learn the facts about drugs and talk to their kids, as well as a powerful platform from which to inspire other parents to take up the cause.”

The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, released earlier this year, demonstrates a clear “disconnect” between parents and their children when it comes to attitudes about drugs.  Less than one in five parents (18 percent) believes their teen has smoked marijuana, yet many more (39 percent) are already experimenting with the drug. The Partnership is committed to piercing the denial of these parents who think that when it comes to drugs, “it's not my kid.” Partnership research also confirmed the number of parents who report never talking with their child about drugs has doubled in the past six years, from 6 percent in 1998 to 12 percent in 2004.

There is no limit to how often the parents post their blogs. They may write once a week or everyday. They express their thoughts and feelings on coping with their loss and respond to current events. They are especially encouraged to share their views on parent-related news, such as parents who were shocked and surprised by an incident involving their children and drugs; parents supervising parties with alcohol; or the use of “tough-love” as a discipline method.

For Further Information: Josie Feliz:  (212) 973-3505

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America® is a private, non-profit coalition of professionals from the communications industry.  Best known for its national, drug-education advertising campaign, the Partnership’s mission is to reduce illicit drug use in America.  The Partnership’s State/City Alliance Program supports the Partnership’s mission at the local level.  The Partnership receives major funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and financial support from more than 200 private sector corporations.  The Partnership accepts no money from alcohol or tobacco manufacturers. All actors in the Partnership’s ads appear pro bono through the generosity of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.