Tag Archives: drug prevention education

Drug Awareness Education Hub

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Saving Our Children Campaign Launches Drug Awareness Education Hub to Combat Fentanyl Death Disaster.

In response to the disastrous effect of fentanyl on the youth of our country, Tom Monson, Founder of the Saving Our Children Campaign, announced today that they are launching the Drug Awareness Education Hub, a dedicated platform committed to providing vital knowledge about the dangers of drugs and substance abuse. This initiative will empower communities to help young people make informed decisions about drugs to combat the misconception that using drugs is “cool.”

Monson noted, “So many of our high school students do not understand how dangerous drugs are. A recent survey showed that 62% of them consider using drugs as something ‘cool.’ Not only that, about half of them don’t understand the dangers of heroin, meth, opioids, or ecstasy.” 

Saving Our Children Campaign Mission

The Saving Our Children Campaign through the Drug Awareness Education Hub (The Hub) is on a mission to break the cycle of misinformation and inform young people how dangerous drugs are. 

Monson added, “There’s a lot of profit in the drug trade. Dealers and others lie and make drug use look glamorous to get people to try them. I’ve talked to hundreds of drug addicts, and not one of them told me that they considered that they could become a drug addict when they took their first taste.” 

The Hub delivers Drug Awareness Education through its comprehensive video library, The Drug-Free Living Video Library. 

“Our focus is on education, providing youngsters with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about using drugs and other dangerous substances,” Monson said.

Community Collaboration Needed for Drug Awareness Education

The Hub invites collaboration from educators, law enforcement, drug treatment centers, and community leaders who want to be part of the solution.

“To make this work, we have to all get involved because it’s not just the treasure we lose to overdose deaths. Drugs and substance abuse cause so much misery. Auto crashes, mental illness, alcohol-related deaths, and so many other horrible things are caused by both illegal and legal drugs and substances.” Monson continued. “That’s why we to find a way to work together and create a drug-free future for every youngster. I know we can do it.”

Evidence-Based Successes

The evidence-based programs have demonstrated positive outcomes. For instance, two years after the release and broadcast of “One Family’s Battle,” heroin-related deaths were cut by over fifty percent in Oregon.

Monson also reported that over the years he has received so many letters, emails, and phone calls of people telling him about how effective these videos are.

“Prevention works,” he added. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t tell our kids to look both ways before they cross the street!”

Drug Awareness Education Hub because most High School Kids do not understand how dangerous drugs are.
Most high school students do not understand how dangerous drugs are.

Drug Awareness Education Offers Access to Everyone

As part of their commitment to the campaign to spreading awareness, the Hub is available at no charge for seven days. After that, a small monthly fee is charged to help maintain the site and provide new material. 

The free initial period allows families to watch effective videos, ensuring they receive the right message. Professionals, such as drug treatment counselors and teachers, can also use the platform in their educational programs.

“If you sit your kids down and have them watch these videos, they will understand more about the dangers of drugs. You can do that in the 7-day trial. “ Monson said.

Quotes from Community Leaders

These videos have been used for years with positive outcomes, and feedback from a diverse group of people. Here are only a couple of comments. 

“A powerful tool that will have a significant, positive impact on those who watch it.”

 — First Lady, Oregon

“Excellent job of describing the ease with which a young person can become imprisoned and then destroyed by heroin.”

 — Chief of Police

On the Hub’s home page, there are dozens of other comments about the effectiveness of the programs. 

Change the Misconception with Drug Awareness Education

Monson concluded, ”We must help every high school kid understand the truth about drugs – they are not cool. They can kill you. This is one of the most important issues affecting young people today.”

About Tom Monson

Tom Monson, founder of the Saving Our Children Campaign, is an award-winning author and filmmaker. For the past 30 years, he has produced drug and substance abuse education materials.

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The Battle for the Soul of Nations

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The Battle for the Soul of Nations: Mexican Cartels’ Target Native American Tribes

Audio File from Saving Our Children Campaign.

By Sara Baker

The serene landscapes of Native American reservations mask a growing crisis. Mexican drug cartels are exploiting these lands to traffic drugs, leaving a trail of violence, addiction, and death in their wake. The cartels’ presence has not only disrupted the peace but has also brought an influx of dangerous substances like fentanyl, causing a spike in overdose deaths and a sense of urgency among tribal leaders and law enforcement.

In a recent interview with NBC, Marvin Weatherwax, Jr., a Blackfeet Tribal Business Council member and Montana House representative, paints a grim picture of the situation. “Right now it’s as if fentanyl is raining on our reservation,” he says, highlighting the severity of the drug crisis that has gripped his community.

The cartels’ strategy is insidious. They exploit the jurisdictional complexities and limited law enforcement resources on reservations to establish a foothold. Once entrenched, they manipulate vulnerable individuals, often using intimidation and violence to maintain control. The cartels’ operations are sophisticated, with a network that efficiently distributes their illicit products across the reservations, fueling addiction and furthering social and economic instability.

When Is Enough?

In an article that appeared in the Billings Gazette, Stacy Zinn, a former DEA agent with experience investigating Mexican cartels, was shedding light on their tactics. “The cartel will send out their advance team or individuals to get to know who’s distributing small amounts on this reservation, who can we get our claws into,” she explains. This statement reveals the calculated approach of the cartels in identifying and exploiting potential weak points within the community.

The Scope of the Problem

The infiltration of Mexican drug cartels into Native American reservations has had a devastating impact on the youth within these communities. The cartels prey on the vulnerability and isolation that many Native American youth experience, leveraging their desperation to recruit them as drug runners, couriers, and distributors. This exploitation not only perpetuates the cycle of addiction but also exposes young people to violence, trauma, and a life of crime.

The Saving Our Children Campaign

In response to this crisis, Tom Monson, a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, established the Saving Our Children Campaign. His mission is to protect young people from the clutches of drug cartels. Through his tireless efforts, Monson has successfully raised awareness about the issue, mobilized communities, and provided crucial resources for prevention and intervention. His campaign has become a beacon of hope for Native American youth and a catalyst for change.

Eric’s Song: A Powerful Tool to Fight for the Soul of Nations:

One of the most notable contributions of Tom Monson to the cause has been his acclaimed book, “Eric’s Song.” This powerful work has received widespread recognition for its ability to provide young people with the knowledge and understanding they need to resist the pressures placed upon them. By shedding light on the tactics employed by the cartels and offering strategies for resistance, “Eric’s Song” has become an invaluable resource for Native American youth and beyond.

In addition to drug awareness education, Monson has educated law enforcement on Community Watch Administration, retail crime prevention, and personal safety. Monson also just published the Drug-Free Living Video Library.

The Battle for the Soul of Nations: Mexican Cartels' Target Native American Tribes
What will be her future?

Conclusion: the Soul of Nations

The devastating impact of Mexican drug cartels on Native American youth cannot be overstated. For far too long, these communities have been targeted and exploited, fueling a cycle of addiction and despair. However, through the unwavering dedication of individuals like Tom Monson and the Saving Our Children Campaign, there is hope. By raising awareness, providing resources, and offering empowering literature like “Eric’s Song,” Monson has helped countless young people resist the pressures they face and reclaim their futures. It is imperative that society joins hands in supporting these initiatives, ensuring a brighter and safer future for Native American youth and all communities affected by drug cartel exploitation.

Drug Education: the Only Hope

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Drug Education is the only hope for so many children. Research shows that 62% of high school kids think that using drugs is cool. How many of them will use and become addicted and eventually die?

In recent years, the number of drug-related deaths has exploded due to fentanyl, but as Tom Monson will tell you, “It isn’t the fentanyl that’s killing people. It’s the people using fentanyl that’s doing it. A few years ago, it was heroin, meth, spice, or angel dust. In a couple of years when the numbers double again, it will be something else.”

What is the answer? According to Monson, there is no single answer but a good start would be to make sure every 10-year-old understands what drugs are. That’s why he is a proponent of mandatory drug education. But he understands that due to the political arena, that isn’t likely going to happen.

“Drug education going to be up to the parents to make sure these kids understand that drugs have a deadly side they should understand,” Monson said.

Drug-related deaths have risen exponentially over the past decade, and unless we do something drastic they will double within a few short years. The accelerated death rate started when individual states began the wholesale legalization of marijuana.

“Education is the only pushback we have,” Monson said. “And, if we are not educating our kids, then we are as responsible as the morally corrupt individuals who sell illicit drugs.”

Drug Awareness Education Made Easy

That’s why Tom Monson Productions is initiating the Drug Awareness Education Hub. “This is where we educate young people about the dangers of drugs and substance abuse. The primary purpose is to make the Drug-Free-Living Video Library available for parents and others interested in an effective way to get the message through to their kids. From methamphetamine to alcohol, our videos help people to get to know the truth about these often lethal substances.

Drug Education is the answer

About Tom Monson

Tom has been an active proponent and producing substance-abuse educational material since his son Matthew was killed by a drunk driver. One of his recent books, “Saving Alpha,” outlines a strategy to change the course of the run-away drug problem.

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What’s Your Strategy to Protect Your Children from Drugs

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What’s Your Strategy to Protect Your Children from Drugs? If you don’t have one then you are leaving your child’s future to chance.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more people died from drug overdoses last year than we lost in the entire Viet Nam War. Why? Most of them started between the ages of 10 and 12 and didn’t understand what they were doing. Unfortunately, the problem is going to get a lot worse and we are the only chance our kids have. If we don’t teach them, who will? ​

Let’s Get RealThe so-called War on Drugs is a complete disaster! We are losing more people to drug overdoses than ever before. Estimates say that half of all suicides are related to substance abuse. Approximately twenty-five percent of automobile crash deaths are caused by intoxicated drivers. And hold on to your butt because things are going to get a lot worse.

Over the past 12 years, the number of overdose deaths has almost doubled. I believe we are going to see another doubling in a much lesser period of time.  There are several reasons but the main reason is they have legalized pot, almost half of the high school seniors say they have used it.

The reason the War on Drugs has failed is it is because it is a hollow slogan that no one believes. The whole concept of war is a people fights for their survival with a complete and total commitment to defeat an enemy. First, we have not defined an enemy and second, there is only a minimal commitment.

Some people say we should legalize everything as they did in Portugal. It doesn’t matter if drugs are legal or not because if you are 10 or 12, everything is illegal (unless it is prescribed by a licensed physician). 

Protect Your Children from Drugs

Alcohol, tobacco, and now marijuana (in many states) are legal substances but not for junior high or elementary school students. Yet the vast majority of people who died last year because of drug overdoses started using one of these substances when they were still a kid. 

If We Don’t Teach Them, Who Will?

And it doesn’t matter who your children are, drugs can take anyone who flirts with them. 

You may or may not agree with the gateway drug concept and it really doesn’t matter. What matters is when someone starts using any substance before their brain matures, they have a much higher chance of becoming addicted. Ask any alcoholic and chances are about 90% that they started when they were 10 to 15 years old. I’ve interviewed a lot of kids who told me they started drinking before they were 10. 

And don’t expect the government to figure it out. How’s that been going so far? The problem is they only spend about five percent of their budget on prevention. The rest is spent to enforce drug laws, and for treatment. I guess they didn’t buy into Benjamin Franklin’s idea of an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. They are spending 20 ounces on the cure and only one on prevention. And… It’s only going to get worse. 

If we want to really protect our kids, it’s up to us!

The thing that will get us the greatest result is to convince them before they start. Because research shows that even a one-time use could cause someone to become addicted. It doesn’t happen often, but why risk it?

If you help them make a decision now, then when the moment of truth arrives and their lives are on the line, they will have to change their mind. It is a lot harder to change a made-up mind than it is to persuade someone who does not have an opinion. (Peer pressure works best on kids who are sitting on the fence.)

After they start you have to convince them and their addicted self — the one that likes how they feel when they smoke weed or crack. 

Protect Your Children from Drugs is much easier said than done. But you don’t have to leave it to chance.

I know firsthand what it is like to lose a child because when my son was 19 he was killed by a drunk driver who just happened to be his best friend. My son lost his life and his friend went to prison. 

That’s why I started producing educational programs to help young people understand the dangers of drugs and substance abuse. I produced a whole library of videos and have been broadcasting them around the world teaching kids. 

If you are in health services, law enforcement, or education, and want to help educate your kids, let’s get busy and convince them alcohol, tobacco, weed, and drugs of all kinds are dangerous. I’ve created some great teaching tools to help you teach them.

​Join Me! If you like what I am doing and would like to help, click the link below and help us in any way you can. Your contribution will help me educate our kids.

I also welcome your feedback about any of the films I’ve produced or any concept that I have presented here. I’ve only been at it for 25 years and I’m still learning.

Thanks for your time and keep up the good work.

Tom Monson
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