Monday, May 22, 2006

 Dear Daniel:

Thank you for contacting me in opposition to the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. You raise some important concerns.

As you may know, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) launched the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign to educate American youth and encourage them to reject illegal drugs. Congress has appropriated more than $1 billion to the Campaign to date.

I understand the concerns of those who question Campaign’s effects on youths’ decisions to use illicit drugs. A 2003 study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) determined that the campaign had been successful in increasing youths’ exposure to anti-drug messaging. However, the same study showed that the Campaign had no discernible impact on youth behavior.

As with any federal program, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign should be regularly scrutinized by Congress to ensure that it is a wise use of taxpayer dollars. I will certainly remember your sentiments as Congress considers this issue. I encourage you to stay in touch in the future.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator


P.S. Our system does not allow direct response to this email. However, if you would like to contact me again, please use the form on the website: http://obama.senate.gov/contact/

Stay up to date with Barack's work in the Senate and on issues of importance to Illinois. Subscribe to the weekly podcast here: http://obama.senate.gov/podcast/