RSSJanuary 9, 2008, 4:15 PM
Dr. Drew Joins the Partnership for a Drug-Free America in Supporting TimeToTalk(TM)
NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Yahoo! today announced Dr. Drew, star of VH1's new reality series "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew," is helping support the Partnership's new cause marketing initiative, TimeToTalk(TM) (www.TimeToTalk.org), by posing a question to the Yahoo! Answers community.
At Yahoo! Answers, Yahoo! visitors from around the world share information and knowledge on every topic under the sun, from politics and food to home improvement and parenting. With more than 120 million users around the world and 400 million answers, Yahoo! Answers is the largest knowledge-sharing community on the Web.
Dr. Drew is asking parents the following question currently featured on Yahoo! Answers: "How do you turn media publicity about celebrities with drug problems into teachable moments for your kids?" Drew's question reflects TimeToTalk's mission to encourage and empower parents to have ongoing conversations with their teens about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse. Parents are encouraged to visit Yahoo! Answers http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ah0K78CwNknz0cmMOsolzbDsy6IX;_ylv =3?qid=20080109082047AAZCS14 (due to length, please copy and paste URL into a browser window) to share their knowledge in response to Dr. Drew's question.
"Dr. Drew is a well-respected medical figure and has been at the forefront of addiction research and prevention," said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of the Partnership. "We are thrilled to have Dr. Drew with his unique perspective join the Partnership for a Drug-Free America in supporting TimeToTalk via Yahoo! Answers. Not only is Dr. Drew acutely aware of the medical risks of drug and alcohol use, but as a father of three teenagers, he has first-hand knowledge of the 'drug talk' and the importance of providing parents with tips and tools to have ongoing conversations."
Dr. Drew is also partnering with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and VH1 to create a 30 second public service announcement (PSA) about substance abuse and how treatment can be effective, with hard work and the support of family and friends. The PSA will begin airing on VH1 during the premiere of "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" on Thursday, January 10th and will continue airing in conjunction with the 8-episode series. Visit www.drugfree.org to find out how to help a friend or family member with an addiction problem.
During his 25-year career, Dr. Drew has largely been known for his radio show LOVELINE, where he has taken calls from listeners since 1982. He is also board certified in addiction medicine, the Medical Director for the Department of Chemical Dependency Services at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, Calif., runs a private practice and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine.
"As a member of the medical community I know the benefit of providing parents with helpful information about raising their kids," said Dr. Drew. "I am thrilled to support the Partnership's effort to empower parents with TimeToTalk's helpful tools and tips that help not only start the conversation about the risks of drug and alcohol use, but keep it going."
TimeToTalk provides parents with practical tips, tools and information to not only start the conversation, but to keep it going. Parents can find helpful information, including TimeToTalk's latest tip, Five Teachable Moments on www.TimeToTalk.org. Five Teachable Moments is a tip sheet for parents who are having trouble talking with their teen about the risks of drug and alcohol use. The tool provides five every-day examples of when the topic can easily be broached. Other tips and tools available on TimeToTalk include Tips for Getting the Conversation Started, How to Help Your Kid Turn Down Drugs, a Drug Guide that highlighting the top 13 drugs teens use, answering the question: "Did You Do Drugs?" and "Is Your Child Using Drugs or Alcohol."
"Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" follows the real-life experiences of Brigitte Nielsen, Chyna, Daniel Baldwin, Jeff Conaway, Jessica Sierra, Jaimee Foxworth, Seth "Shifty" Binzer, Mary Carey, and Ricco Rodriguez as they undergo detoxification and treatment at a center in the Los Angeles area. While these celebrity patients may be accustomed to receiving special treatment in their everyday lives, they were in for a major surprise when they entered this no-frills treatment facility. Dr. Drew was aided in the process by his experienced and trusted staff of counselors, including registered nurses and other addiction experts. In a television first, the highly respected doctor will give viewers an unflinching look at how the rehab process works and what it feels like for participants. Dr. Drew hopes to use his celebrity patients to humanize the process and show viewers that treatment is a viable way to break the cycle of addiction.
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization uniting communications professionals, renowned scientists and parents. Best known for its national drug-education campaign, the Partnership's mission is to reduce illicit drug use in America. Now in its 20th year, the Partnership helps parents and caregivers effectively address drug and alcohol abuse with their children. A major new initiative now unfolding integrates the latest science and research with the most effective traditional media and digital communication techniques to give parents the tools, resources and support they need to help their children lead healthy lives. This effort -- the first ever for the Partnership -- will include a web-based interactive information resource center, parent-to-parent support network, a national toll-free call center and user-friendly online/offline tools. The Partnership depends on donations and support from individuals, corporations, foundations and government. The Partnership thanks SAG/AFTRA for their ongoing generosity.