FAQ's What is the Partnership for a Drug-Free Missouri (PDFM)? The Partnership for a Drug-Free Missouri is a public-private alliance of state and local officials, businesses, and marketing and media leaders working together to reduce substance abuse in Missouri. PDFM is one of the 55 state and city-wide alliance members of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. As an alliance member, PDFM has access to a comprehensive multi-media marketing communications campaign that uses local television and radio stations, daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, billboards and other media outlets to reach Missourians with strong anti-drug, drug education and prevention messages. How can the Partnership for a Drug-Free Missouri help? Substance abuse problems have been driven by a grudging acceptance of drugs as a way of life and by a belief that drugs are not very dangerous. The goal of Missouri's Partnership is to "de-normalize" drugs by using the exact marketing techniques a company uses to sell its products - compelling messages aimed at an array of target audiences and delivered through mass media with impact and frequency over time. Simply put, the Partnership uses advertising to sell Missourians on the idea that drugs are not normal and acceptable, encourage them not to use and to help find solutions to substance abuse problems. What does Partnership campaign say? Missouri's Partnership features messages from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Messages constantly reinforce anti-drug attitudes and behavior and encourage Missourians to get involved in the fight against drug abuse. The campaign further emphasizes: The use of easy access telephone numbers, including ACT Missouri's toll-free number within the messages, so target audiences may receive free drug prevention information and treatment referrals. A balance of messages that target all age, race, economic, social, parental, caregiver groups, and the workplace. Sharing information and expertise with other ongoing programs within Missouri. All creative materials are tagged with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America logo. When are new creative materials released? Partnership for a Drug-Free America sends new campaign materials to alliances for localization and distribution each summer and winter. Partnership for a Drug-Free Missouri delivers them to Missouri's major media markets. Why is the Partnership for a Drug-Free Missouri so successful? In developing the work, the best creative minds in the country have access to the most complete body of research on the issue of drug use and abuse available. The result is a media campaign with compelling messages and an unparalleled track record of consistent excellence. Through relationships with our media partners in Missouri's major market areas, Missourians receive positive messages about substance abuse prevention, treatment, recovery and information on how to Get Help! when they Need Help! Is the campaign effective? National studies have clearly shown the media is the primary source, and the most efficient distribution system, for delivering information about drug abuse to the public. There have been major increases in anti-drug attitudes and decreases in all socioeconomic groups from 1987 (when the Partnership for a Drug-Free America began). Eighty-five percent of Americans say that anti-drug messages are a significant influence in helping to reduce drug use. Eighty-three percent of students recalled Partnership messages. Three-quarters of these kids said the messages caused them to stop or decrease drug use, or persuaded them never to start. They remember. They believe. They react. Who do I contact for more information? You can contact Connie Berhorst by e-mail, or phone at 573-635-6669 or 877-669-2280.