MAMA

Says

MAMA believes we can positively change the way drugs affect our families and communities.

• Judge ALL drugs by the same standard

To make rational decisions, we must apply the same standards to all drugs, rather than focussing attention on a small number of "bad" drugs.

• Provide complete and accurate information about all drugs

The focus on a small number of illegal drugs and heavy advertising for legal drugs causes many misunderstandings about the relative dangers of different substances.

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• Teach basic drug consumer safety to all ages

As the number and power of drugs has increased, there has NOT been an increase in decision-making skills that could reduce misuse and abuse.

In order to make a responsible decision; you must first determine what chemical is being considered. Once that is known, you can evaluate the benefit versus the risk of taking the drug. If the drug is taken, you must be able to recognize possible negative effects, and deal with them should they occur.

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• Question techniques of advertising all drugs, and advertising's effects on the entire population

In 2005, pharmaceutical companies alone spent 29.9 billion dollars promoting their products. Advertising of alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical drugs is created to promote drug company profits and not the health of the citizens. A recent study found that only 6% of the content of drug advertisements is supported by evidence. This advertising does what it is designed to do. The more tobacco advertisements young people see and hear, the more likely they are to smoke. Questionable marketing techniques are also used in the promotion of prescription drugs to medical professionals.

MAMA believes that advertising motivated by profit is not likely to give us the knowledge we need to make sensible decisions about drugs. We must question the advertising that we see, and get more of our information from educators, and less from advertisers.

• Provide requested treatment for problems with all drugs.

In 2006, 23.6 million Americans needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol abuse. For every nine who needed treatment, one of them got it. Many others need treatment for the use of tobacco, which is by far the most common and deadly addictive drug, Still others are addicted to prescription drugs such as painkillers and sleep aids.

A review of the availability of treatment says, "Due to funding cuts at the federal, state, and local levels, entry into drug treatment programs has become increasingly more difficult", and " Those states with publicly funded treatment slots have lengthy waiting lists, prohibitive private fees, and cumbersome processes for entry into treatment."

• Advocate for programs that teach people the social skills they need to provide for their basic needs, e.g. adult literacy, job training, language classes, and the like.

Research shows that the most cost effective way to reduce misuse and abuse of intoxicating drugs is to help people have control over their lives and find alternatives to substance use.

• Teach communication and decision-making skills.

• Teach parenting skills, so we can raise our children to have a positive self image.

• Teach people how to plan and implement affordable, fun activities.

Portland Office
Phone: 503-233-4202
Fax: 503-233-8266
clinicpdx@mamas.org

The Dalles Office
Phone: 541-298-4202
Fax: 541-296-2983
clinictd@mamas.org

MAMA is a nonprofit - all donations are tax deductible. Please donate to help us educate the public, media, and policymakers, to reduce the harm from drugs and drug policy.

Mothers Against Misuse And Abuse
5217 SE 28th Ave. (Steele & 28th)
Portland, Oregon 97202

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