The deputy director of a national organization that fights drug abuse visited Iowa this week. Steve Cline represents “The Partnership at Drugfree.org,” which used to be known as “The Partnership for a Drug-Free America.” Cline says they are concerned about the attitudes of young people towards drugs.
He says they do a study every year called PATS, or Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, and the recently release 2010 survey showed a decline in attitudes among young people about the danger of drugs. Cline says the attitudes toward the dangers of alcohol use, for instance, have declined.
Cline says it’s becoming more socially acceptable in the attitudes that it’s okay to go out and overdue it on a Friday night. Or “what’s the big deal” about underage kids drinking. Cline says that raises a big red flag. He says parents are still the best people to make an impact on the attitudes of kids.
Cline says they encourage parents to know what is going on with their kids, to find the resources nationally or from the state from the “Partnership for a Drug Free Iowa” to make a difference to their kids and be involved. Clines says you can find out more information on their website “The Partnership at Drugfree.org.”