The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced at a press conference on Capitol Hill Tuesday that it is teaming up with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (Partnership) to launch a multi-faceted campaign to address heroin and prescription drug abuse in America. At the press conference, NAB highlighted news coverage that local and network radio and […]
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced at a press conference on Capitol Hill Tuesday that it is teaming up with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (Partnership) to launch a multi-faceted campaign to address heroin and prescription drug abuse in America.
At the press conference, NAB highlighted news coverage that local and network radio and TV broadcasters have devoted to bringing awareness to the opioid crisis.
In addition to regular news programming, in the past year broadcasters have produced and aired documentaries, in-depth investigations and town hall forums on the impact of the epidemic on local communities.
CBS TV Network, ABC-owned TV stations and iHeartMedia have also carried more than $15 million in Partnership for Drug-Free Kids anti-opioid PSA messaging in the last year, and broadcasters such as NBC, Fox, Univision, Telemundo and hundreds of other TV and radio stations have devoted enormous resources to this issue, NAB noted.
In collaboration with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a national nonprofit committed to helping families struggling with their children’s substance use, radio and TV stations are renewing their commitment to help educate the public and aid in the fight against opioid abuse and addiction.
NAB announced that broadcasters will:
- Air Partnership-produced public service announcements directing viewers and listeners to life-saving resources.
- Develop long-form programming and special news reports, as well as hold town hall meetings and provide critical information online;
- Develop a printed and online toolkit for broadcast stations across the country on facts and statistics related to the epidemic, and ideas for prevention, programming and community outreach.
- Produce and distribute new PSAs in conjunction with NAB’s bi-annual Congressional PSA Campaign.
Here’s an example PSA from the toolkit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehf_A_RPCWk
“As first informers in times of crisis, broadcasters understand the power of the public airwaves to educate Americans about dangers affecting their lives,” said Gordon Smith, NAB president.
“We’re proud to join with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids in finding solutions to opioid addiction, and in making a positive difference for families across America.”
“Today’s opioid crisis requires an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to affect change and reverse this public health epidemic,” said Marcia Lee Taylor, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids president.
“All of us have a role to play, and we and all of the families we serve are so thankful to the National Association of Broadcasters for playing the very important role of using the airwaves to reach homes and communities, driving awareness and directing parents to life-saving resources for their loved ones.”
Full remarks by Gordon Smith and Marcia Lee Taylor are available here. Video of the press conference is available on nab.org.
Representatives of the broadcasting industry who attended the press conference and pledged support for the initiative were: Art Brooks, president, Arizona Broadcasters Association; Rebecca Hanson, senior vice president of strategy and policy, Sinclair Broadcast Group; Ginny Morris, chair and CEO, Hubbard Radio Group; and Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television.
Also on hand to show support for the campaign were a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and House members. Speakers included Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Reps. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 45% of people who used heroin were also addicted to prescription opioid painkillers. Deaths from opioid abuse increased 248% between 2010 and 2014, with 78 Americans now dying every day from an opioid overdose.
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