A History of Saving Lives
We began creating educational videos to help young people understand the dangers of substance abuse and drugs in 1997. Since then we have produced 15 videos that have traveled the entire world teaching about the dangers of alcohol, meth, heroin, club drugs, tobacco products, club drugs, and a lot more.
When we had produced the first eight programs Tom Monson combined them into the Drug-Free Kids Video Library. Tom said that when his kids were young, like most parents, he wanted them to grow up to be healthy, successful, and have good lives. He knew drugs were out there, but never really thought his kids would use them. He thought setting a good example would be enough.
But when Matthew, his 19-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver, he said, “I have to tell you it knocked me down for a long time.” He called those years his dark ages.”
Why a Drug-Free Kids Video Library?
“I had no idea how I would ever learn to deal with his death.” Monson said, “Then one day, I decided to make Matt’s death mean something.”
That’s when he decided to create the Drug-Free Kids Video Library. Its purpose is to teach kids and their parents about the dangers of drugs and substance abuse.
The first show, Crank County is about methamphetamine. The television debut exposed this deadly drug and was a huge success. The amount of positive feedback told us we were on the right track.
We went on to produce 13 additional titles that talked about heroin, alcohol, tobacco, club drugs, marijuana, addiction, and many other topics. These shows continue to be broadcast around the world to educate all kinds of people about the dangers of substance abuse and drugs.
Because someone cared enough to show these videos to young people, countless sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers get a chance at life.
These Videos Really Work
This type of programming 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 what his life on drugs was like and how his death impacted his family. Using this story, we created two regional campaigns that caused hundreds of people to seek help with their addiction. Two years later, the Oregon Medical Examiner reported that heroin-related deaths had declined more than fifty percent.
Of course, it wasn’t easy. It took a lot of people working hard to get it done. Our staff, hundreds of business owners, 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 US. Let’s see what we can do about it. I’ll contact you.
Donate to help us continue the fight for the lives of our future generations. We constantly are asked to provide training material to people who do not have the resources to buy the material to help educate at-risk youth about the dangers of drug and substance abuse. Your contribution will help us provide these materials at little or no cost.
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.