New York, NY -- January 24, 2007 -- Outraged parents are tired of watching children die as the drug epidemic spreads worldwide. A new group has formed to unite and empower parents to protect their children. The new group is called: International Drug Awareness Research Foundation (IDARF).

The following statistics alarm the parents belonging to IDARF:

•    Nearly 8,000 people are trying drugs for the first time every day.
•    The majority of new users are younger than 18 and more than half are female.
•    Among U.S. teenagers and young adults, fatal drug overdoses have soared 113%
•    Drugs are killing 15,000 Americans each year.
•    The international illicit drug trade is a $400 billion a year business
•    The drug trade is valued at roughly 8 percent of all world trade.

IDARF believes that the most effective way to protect children from drugs is to shift the focus to prevention through increased and enhanced awareness and early education. To help parents talk about drugs around kitchen tables and in classrooms, IDARF has created a poster entitled “The Self-Destructive Use of Drugs”.

Finding the right words to help young people understand the many dangers related to drugs can prove a difficult task for parents. The new poster opens the communication channels between parents and children to educate them about the negative effects of drugs.

 

 “The Self-Destructive Use of Drugs” explains the damaging effects of drugs in plain language, using plain medical facts, displaying the mind-body drug connection in one powerful graphic that instantly and vividly summarizes the most commonly used drugs and their effects on the user.

The adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” is so true when displayed in the family playroom or a teen’s bedroom. The poster acts as a constant visual reminder driving home the destructive effects of substance abuse in a straightforward, non judgmental manner.

About IDARF:
IDARF researches, develops and distributes high visual high-impact informative products designed to help government, communities, schools and parents drug proof children. The coalition also plans to influence governments and policymakers by petitioning for mandatory drug awareness and education.

How parents can join IDARF and receive their free poster and kit:
Parents wishing to join IDARF’s International Coalition of Parents for Drug Awareness, Prevention and Education, and receive their free poster and Parents Kit, can do so at www.idarf.org . A nominal $6.95 packaging and shipping fee will apply. The poster is available in multiple languages.

Media Contact:
Tom Zatylny
Phone: 514-817-2906
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Web: www.idarf.org

# # #