NAB, Partnership For Drug-Free Kids Announce Campaign To Address Opioid Crisis

Campaign

At a press conference in WASHINGTON TODAY (9/13), the NAB announced a PSA campaign with the PARTNERSHIP FOR DRUG-FREE KIDS to address the abuse of heroin and prescription opioids.  The press conference highlighted coverage of the crisis by radio and TV broadcasters and the commitment of over $15 million worth of airtime for anti-opioid PSAs in the past year by CBS television, the ABC O&O TV stations, and iHEARTMEDIA.

The conference set forth further commitments broadcasters are making to the cause, including airing PSAs, developing long-form programming and special news reports along with town-hall meetings, developing a printed and online toolkit for broadcasters to address the issue, and create new PSAs as part of the bi-annual Congressional PSA Campaign.

"As first informers in times of crisis, broadcasters understand the power of the public airwaves to educate Americans about dangers affecting their lives,” said NAB President and CEO GORDON SMITH. “Today, we are pledging those airwaves and other resources to combating an epidemic that has touched the lives of millions of our citizens. We’re proud to join with the PARTNERSHIP FOR DRUG-FREE KIDS in finding solutions to opioid addiction, and in making a positive difference for families across America."

"Today's opioid crisis requires an 'all hands on deck' approach to affect change and reverse this public health epidemic," said PARTNERSHIP FOR DRUG-FREE KIDS President and CEO MARCIA LEE TAYLOR. "All of us have a role to play, and we and all of the families we serve are so thankful to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS for playing the very important role of using the airwaves to reach homes and communities, driving awareness and directing parents to life-saving resources for their loved ones."

On hand for the event were HUBBARD's GINNY MORRIS, SINCLAIR's REBECCA HANSON, HEARST's JORDAN WERTLIEB, and the ARIZONA BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION's ART BROOKS.  A bipartisan group of Senators and House members also appeared, including Sens. CHUCK GRASSLEY (R-IA), AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN), PATRICK LEAHY (D-VT), JOE MANCHIN (D-WV), JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), and CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT), and Reps. JUDY CHU (D-CA), BOB GOODLATTE (R-VA), and FRANK PALLONE (D-NJ).

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