BALTIMORE, MD July 16, 2007 — Baltimore is one of only three cities in America to host the pilot test of a toll-free help line for parents who are seeking information to help their children deal with the issues of alcohol or drugs. The test area will also include the communities of Hagerstown and Salisbury, MD. The toll-free number is 1-888-870-1811.

This help line (which will also be tested in Syracuse, NY and Omaha/Lincoln, NE) will serve parents and other caregivers seeking information and advice on: (1) the principal drug threats facing kids and how to prevent abuse; (2) what to look for if they suspect their child is using drugs or alcohol and how to intervene; (3) what to do for a child who may be in trouble and needs treatment; and (4) how to support a child in recovery.

Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD) joined with the Partnership to announce this new resource for parents. “As the former Ranking Member of the Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, I remain focused on finding effective strategies to keep children from using drugs,” Cummings said. “We need to help parents become better informed on how to deal with their children’s exposure to alcohol and drugs. This help line will serve as an important resource for parents and I am delighted that it will be available in my district as part of this pilot test.”

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler also expressed his support for the initiative, which he stated “will be a tremendous resource to parents as they seek advice on how to communicate with their kids regarding the hazards of drug and alcohol abuse. While peer pressure can be a strong influence on our kids, once equipped with the necessary information, parents can be an even more powerful influence. I applaud the Partnership's efforts in providing yet another tool for parents as they strive to keep their kids healthy and safe."

The three-city pilot is the first step toward the creation of a national parents helpline, a key component of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s new initiative – the creation of the first, national and user-friendly Parents Resource Center – where parents can seek information and support from experts and other parents via the Internet (at www.drugfree.org) or by calling a toll-free helpline.

“For twenty years, the Partnership has been using media-based campaigns aimed at encouraging parents to more actively use their powerful influence to help their kids make healthy, drug-free decisions in their lives,” said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership. “Now, we will become more of a true partner with parents in that process by offering more comprehensive resources to help them address these tough issues. We see a toll-free number as a critical tool for parents to have at their disposal, as many might lack internet access or simply prefer talking to a live person.”

Statewide support for this program was also offered by U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, who acknowledged the need for more parent-focused resources to help combat drug abuse. "Communities want to protect their children from drugs - but they can't always do it on their own. This help line will serve as a great resource for families who need an open ear and a helping hand to keep their kids away from drugs and alcohol," said Senator Mikulski. "I welcome the Partnership for a Drug-Free America testing its helpline in our state and encourage residents of Baltimore, Hagerstown and Salisbury to use this as a tool for their children."

Calls from parents will be fielded by Alliance Healthcare Information, Inc., a health care communications center staffed with licensed health care professionals, including substance abuse counselors and nurses. Located in Ivyland, Pennsylvania, Alliance has been providing services exclusively to the health care industry for twelve years.

For each of the pilot markets, a list of qualified local resources for prevention, treatment and recovery support has been identified, and parents will be referred to them when appropriate.

The toll-free number is open and accepting calls, and help is available Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m.- 8:00pm. U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin expressed hope that the helpline “will provide critical information about addiction and treatment to parents and children, information that will help people make the right decisions when faced with difficult choices. The damaging effects of illegal drugs have been felt across our country, and this toll-free help line is one more weapon in our fight against this horrible scourge.”