As Just Say ‘Know’ to Prescription Drugs Campaign Gets Traction, Efforts Turn Toward Online Social Networks

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 29, 2006 -- Today the Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs Campaign, aimed at getting one million people to stop and reevaluate the medications they are taking, reported that 10,159 people have responded to the initiative since the pre-launch on September 25, and the core coalition of organizers has doubled. Convinced that the initiative has struck a nerve, the effort will now move to the Web and the blogosphere to build further support. As part of the migration, Dr. Don Ardell was appointed “information Czar” for the campaign and will work closely with co-founder Dr. Laurence Simon to identify and disseminate relevant research to campaign supporters. Blogger Kelly Bradley has joined the campaign and will help lead the online efforts.

“Just Say Know” month is the only “Just Say No” campaign I’ve ever liked and only partially because “know” (rather than “no’) signals a focus on a positive and rational set of behaviors to adopt, not a negative choice to avoid,” said Dr. Don Ardell, a health writer and author of High Level Wellness: An Alternative to Doctors, Drugs, and Disease. “The campaign will help to promote not just informed consent, but also health, well being and a better quality of life for more Americans,” said Ardell.

As the initiative goes digital, it is anticipated that bloggers will play a pivotal role in spreading the word and helping the campaign build momentum. Initial feedback from the handful of bloggers contacted has been very positive. “This initiative is awesome, absolutely awesome…. It will educate for informed decision making,” said Karen Bradley whose blog “Call for Action” is dedicated solely to advocacy, awareness, education and the promotion of dignified treatment for all individuals with a severe mental illness.

The campaign’s “big tent” approach is proving to be the right strategy. “What we have here is a confluence of diverse interests that are coalescing around a theme that resonates with a broad cross-section of people,” said Dr. Dominick Riccio, chairman of the Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs Campaign. “We have clearly struck a nerve among healthcare professionals, academics, advocates, laypersons, parents and concerned citizens of all walks.”

During the month of October, the initiative aims to get one million people and one million parents to take a second look at the prescription medications they are taking and giving their children. Participants will be encouraged to download a form that allows them to thoughtfully evaluate the drugs they are taking or giving to their children. The form collects specific information from their prescribing physician, pharmacist or healthcare provider and requests the provider’s signature attesting that they have fully informed the patient or parent of the risks and benefits of the prescribed medication, as well as non-drug alternatives.

The campaign has declared October "Just Say ‘Know’ to Prescription Drugs Month" and has scheduled a conference in Washington, D.C. on October 7th to officially launch the campaign. Information about the conference is available at http://www.icspp.org

“This initiative is gaining momentum. We’re seeing it in the numbers, reading it in the emails we’re receiving and feeling it from the people who are jumping on board,” said Dr. Greg Tefft, co-founder of the initiative. There is a growing sense daily that maybe, just maybe, we’ve found a way to make a difference.”

Organizations and individuals who want to participate in the campaign may go to any of the following websites, look for the Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs logo, and download the sheet titled "Take This Form and Sign It." Instructions are provided on each form.

Psych Truth.Org
Laurence Simon Ph.D.
www.psychtruth.org/justsayknow.htm

Dr. Gregg Tefft
KPNC Radio
http://www.kpncradio.com

Karen Bradley
Call for Action
http://racingthoughts.blog.ca

Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety
Kathleen Slattery-Moshkau
http://www.mo-info.com/wordpress/index.php

Dr. Michael Siebert
http://drmichaelsiebert.com/news.html

MESICS Fitness
Jim Manganiello, Ed.D.
http://www.mesicsfitness.com/jsn-news.htm

For more information email us, call 212-861-7400 or visit www.psychtruth.org/justsayknow.htm
http://www.icspp.org

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Just Say Know Initiative
Dominick Smith
212-861-7400
E-mail Information
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