Media Contacts

Chicago and Northern Illinois Media Call
312.988.4646, ext. 254 or ext. 233
Or click here to send an e-mail

Central and Southern Illinois Media Call
217.793.7353, ext. 121
Or click here to send an e-mail

Click here to see recent Prevention First press releases.

Industry News

Be Smart. Be Well
A new Web site focusing on drug safety was recently launched by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, divisions of Health Care Service Corporation. The goal is to help people stay healthier and safer through increased awareness and simple-to-use knowledge. New topics are added three times a year, featuring video stories of lessons learned by real people living everyday life. For more information, visit Be Smart Be Well.

What Parents Can Do to Prevent Underage Drinking
Tips for parents to deal with underage drinking issues

News Archives

April 2008

The Buzz over Alcoholic Energy Drinks
The OAS Report:
A Day in the Life of American Adolescents: Substance Use Facts

February 2008

Family and Friends are Common Source of ADHD Meds
Study Says 12th Graders Drink Mainly to Have a Good Time
RFP Release for Choose Respect Illinois Grant Program
Drug-Free Community Grants Now Available
Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use by 12th Graders
Feds Alarmed About Abuse of Cough Medicine
NIDA Solicits Comments on Draft Strategic Plan
Physician Screening for Alcohol Cost-Effective

January 2008

Cut Smoking, Salt to Save 14 Million Lives
Federal Budget Plan Passes, Heads to Bush
Researchers Bind Cocaine to Cholera to Create Vaccine
ONDCP Warns of Rise in Canadian-Made, Meth-Laced Ecstacy
Regional Summits Planned on Random Student Drug-Testing
Workshops Scheduled for FY08 Drug-Free Communities Grant Program
Drinking Games, Themes Parties Increase Alcohol Consumption
Teens Who Drink to Deal with Anger Called High-Risk
Supermarket Chain Drops Cigarettes, Tobacco Products

December 2007

Native American Center to Strengthen Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts
"Toad Smoaking" New High
U.S. Teen Births Rise
Researchers Say Drug Use Akin to Traumatic Brain Injury
Hershey's Mints Resemble Drugs
Reynolds Closes 'Camel Farm'
Smoking, Illicit Drug Use Declines Among 8th Graders
Maine Tops Tobacco Prevention Report
Study Demonstrates Brain's Nicotine Craving Activity
Marijuana Smoke More Toxic than Cigarettes
Youth Exposure to Alcohol Ads Declines, Study Finds

November 2007

New Report Provides Look at Drug Use Among Adolescents
Researchers Look at College "Alcoholidays"
Huffing and Suicide Related, New Study Suggests
Teen Impaired Driving Plateaus
Prevention First Supports DHS "Doin' Good in the 'Hood" Challenge
Thirty Percent of Teens Drive Impaired or Ride with Others Under the Influence
Research Into Action Highlights Effects of Evidence-Based Programs
Heart Attacks Among Nonsmokers Declines After Smoking Ban Implemented
Early Binge Drinking Linked to Later Health Problems
Nordstrom to Stop Selling Sndals With Secret Flask
Public Service Campaign for HIspanic Youth
RJ Reynolds to Halt Print Ads Next Year
Minnesota State Tightens Sanctions for Alcohol Use
SAMHSA Releases 2006 Date from National Survey

October 2007

Brain Response to Nicotine Can Predict Addiction
Finding of Fault Sticks with Tobacco Industry
New Grant Will Fund Additional Drug, Alcohol Treatment
Gov. Blagojevich Launches New Helpline for Victims of Domestic Violence
Gov. Blagojevich Signs Law to Further Restrict Child Sex Offenders, Methamphetamine Producers
More Schools Using Breath Tests to Screen Students
SAMSHA Report Shows Starling Numbers of Substance Abuse in Adolescents
Sen. Biden Unveils Anti-Crime Legislation Including $36 Million for Prevention
New Report Shows Teen Smoking Linked to Brain Damange, Alcohol and Drug Use and Mental Illness

September 2007

Prevention Advocates Object to Wendy's Commercial
New Law Protects Teens from 'Acopop' Advertising
Federal Grant Aids in Alcohol Prevention Efforts
DEA Cocaine Campaign Has Cut Supply, Raised Prices
Drug Czar Launches New Anti-Meth Campaign
National Report Shows Adolescent Drug Use Down
New Law Holds Parents Responsible for Teen Drinking
Use of Painkillers on the Rise
Attorneys General Urge Crackdown on Energy Drinks

August 2007

Prevention First in the News
Cocaine Use Declines Among U.S. Workforce
Hart Joins Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Disney Bans Smoking Depicted in Movies
Federal Funds Will Aid Fight Against Illegal Drugs
New Law Prohibits Indoors Smoking in Public Places