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Get the facts on this dangerous trend and talk to your teen about safety behind the wheel
Drugged driving, or driving under the influence of drugs, is a much bigger public health threat than most Americans realize and unfortunately, it is a growing trend. According to the first-ever analysis of drug involvement from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) census, one in three motor vehicle fatalities (33 percent) with known drug test results tested positive for drugs in 2009.[1] The new analysis also shows the involvement of drugs in fatal crashes has increased by five percent over the past five years, even as the overall number of drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States has declined.[2] As part of the National Drug Control Strategy, President Obama has made combating drugged driving a national priority and set a goal of reducing drugged driving prevalence by 10 percent by 2015. The National Impaired Driving Prevention initiative is an effort aimed at increasing awareness of the issue and encouraging states to explore policies and laws that can help reduce drugged driving. Community organizations can build on the momentum driven by December’s National Impaired Driving Prevention Month and help raise awareness of the issue into the New Year. For facts, toolkits and more resources go to The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest” Campaign website at . Protect Your Teens on the Road As teens take to the roads, you can take action by talking about the dangers of drugged and drunk driving. Parents are the most important influence on their teen when it comes to risky behaviors, including substance abuse and driving. Teens who report having conversations with their parents about alcohol and drug use are more likely to stay drug-free, compared to teens who do not talk about substance abuse with their parents.[5] The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign provides FREE online resources for community leaders and parents of teen drivers to help start the conversation about the dangers of driving under the influence. Please visit = to get more information on ways to prevent drugged driving in your community. Resources available include:
**************************** =. Free materials from the Media Campaign are available to distribute in your community by visiting or calling (800) 788-2800. ABOUT THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN: The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is a critical component of the Nation’s prevention efforts, as outlined in the National Drug Control Strategy, and addresses substances most abused by teens, including marijuana, alcohol and prescription drugs. It delivers prevention messaging at the national level as well as more targeted efforts at the local community level. According to the Media Campaign’s Youth Ad Tracking Study (that surveys 900 teens each month,) 85 percent of teens are aware of the “Above the Influence” Campaign advertising. Teens who are aware of the Campaign are consistently more likely to have stronger anti-drug beliefs compared to those unaware of the Campaign’s advertising. Since its inception in 1998, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has been authorized by Congress to reduce and prevent teen drug use. For more information on the ONDCP National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, visit .
[1] U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fatal Analysis Reporting System, 2009. =
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by Lisa Frederiksen
A good friend of mine shared the following information from the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign , which I am copying here for your information, as well.
ANTI-DRUG UPDATE – December 21, 2010Put the Brakes on Drugged Driving