Hello,

​My name is Tom Monson, and when my kids were young, like most parents, I wanted them to grow up and be healthy, successful, and have good lives. I knew drugs were out there, but I never really thought my kids would use them. I thought setting a good example would be enough.

But when Matthew, my 19-year-old son, was killed by a drunk driver, I have to tell you it knocked me down for a long time. I call those years my dark ages. 
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I had no idea how I would ever reconcile his death. Then one day, I decided to make Matt’s death mean something. That’s when we created the Drug Free Kids Video Library. Its purpose was to teach kids and parents about the dangers of drugs and substance abuse. The first show, Crank County is about methamphetamine. The television debut of this show exposed this deadly drug and was a huge success. The amount of positive feedback told us we were on the right track. I went on to produce 12 additional titles covering, heroin, alcohol, tobacco, club drugs, and others. These shows are being broadcast around the world and educating people about the dangers of drug and substance abuse. 

Because my son died and someone cared enough to show young people these videos, countless sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers are being saved every day.

It really works! One of our shows, One Family’s Battle, is about a young man who became addicted to heroin. It tells how he tried to quit 26 times and then died of an overdose. The rest of the story is about his life on drugs and what his death did to his family. Using this story, we created two community-wide campaigns that caused hundreds of people to seek help with their addiction. Two years later, the Oregon Medical Examiner reported that heroin-related deaths declined over fifty percent.

Of course, it wasn’t easy. It took a lot of people working hard to get it done. My staff, hundreds of businesses, television stations, health departments, law enforcement agencies, and individuals all came together to help save these lives. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. 

If you live in a community with a run-away drug problem and want to do something about it, email me and I will contact you.

Who knows, maybe we can do something about it. 

​Best,

Tom Monson 

Viewer and Partner Comments

Since we started distributing these programs, we have had literally hundreds of letters, emails, and phone calls from people from all walks of life.  Teachers, law enforcement, prevention specialists, and many others have used these programs to help people understand the dangers of drugs and substance abuse. Here are just a few. 

• “We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our viewers.”  General Manager, Television Station
• “In all groups, [viewers] had a profound impact from the film.” Program Manager, Drug Treatment  Program 
• “Videos provided a real image of the use of drugs.” Youth Corrections Manager
• “The information was honest and direct.” Drug Treatment Counselor
• “Powerful impact on our communities.” Director Office of National Drug Control Policy
• “A valuable tool in the efforts to prevent our youth from beginning a life of drug abuse.” Member of United States Congress.
• “A powerful tool that will have a significant, positive impact on those who watch it.” First Lady, Oregon
• ‘Extremely helpful in describing the process of addiction.” Executive Director, Chemical Dependency Program
• “This video brings the reality of addiction home.” Coordinator, Drug and Alcohol Prevention 
• “It showed the very real side to what happens to those who love those with abuse issues.” Drug Demand Reduction Administration
• “Excellent job of describing the ease with witch a young person can become imprisoned then destroyed by heroin.” Chief of Police
• This video is one of the most comprehensive, and most entertaining, that have seen on this subject.” Hospital Training Expert
• “Provides an avenue of discussion for pubic education, professional training, and parent and citizen activism.” Educator, Compass Project
• “Impressive gathering of people and information.” Email, Prevention Program
• “A wonderful tool to help teens in our community.” Manager, Adolescent Recovery
• “This is a video every family in America should watch together.” Executive Director, Education and Prevention Services
• “The video really draws in my students’ attention.” DARE Officer
• “They [Junior high students] thought it was the best video they had ever seen.” School  Resource Officer
• “This video is “hard ball” and puts “meth” in proper perspective.” Director, Addiction Counseling Services
• “Message is delivered succinctly to both parents and teenagers.” Manager, Private Company
• “Your video inspired me.” 7th Grader

Join Us! If you like what we are doing and would like to help us get this valuable educational material in front of children around the world, click the link below and help us in any way you can. Thank you. Contribute here