PRESS
Watch and listen to interviews with author Joe Califano, read book reviews, and read the official press release.
INTERVIEWS & NEWS
The Parent's Journal with Bobbi Conner (Starts at 29:00) December 9, 2009
How Families Can Handle Holiday Stress, NY1 December 3, 2009
The View, ABC (Starts at 29:00) November 20, 2009
Califano continues fight against addiction (San Antonio Express News) November 14, 2009
Great Day San Antonio, kens5.com November 11, 2009
Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast, WYPR November 4, 2009 |
MP3 format
Good To Know: 'Meanest Mom On The Planet,' WCCO TV September 22, 2009
Wyoming libraries get drug abuse prevention book (Associated Press) September 9, 2009
TODAY, MSNBC.com September 3, 2009
O'Reilly Factor, Fox News September 1, 2009
Gather 'Round the Table Podcast August 16, 2009
The Early Show, CBS News August 13, 2009
The Jim Bohannon Show, Westwood One August 13, 2009 |
MP3 format
Morning Joe, MSNBC August 12, 2009
NY 1 News August 12, 2009
The Joey Reynolds Show, WOR Radio 710 (NY), Part 1 |
Part 2August 12, 2009
Total Information AM, KMOX News Radio 1120 (MO) August 12, 2009
WCBS News Radio 880 (NY) August 12, 2009 |
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Bumper to Bumper with Dan Barriero, KFAN AM 1130 (MN) August 11, 2009 |
MP3 format
Insight with Brian Oxman and Kathryn Milofsky AM830 (NY) August 11, 2009 |
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REVIEWS
America Magazine (October 19, 2009)
The book is practical, easy to use, packed with valuable information and survey data as well as needed advice and resources for concerned parents. ...Califano is a wise and reassuring guide, leading parents toward greater and more effective engagement with their children. (Read review)
Davler Media Group (October, 2009)
How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope For Parents is the definitive manual for any parent who wants to help his/her child make it.
(Read review, PDF, 716 KB)
TODAY, MSNBC.com (September 3, 2009)
Talking to your children about substance abuse can be difficult, especially when they turn the conversation around on you. In his book, "How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope For Parents," Joseph A. Califano offers tips on how to have a productive discussion about drugs." (Read excerpt)
Westport News (August 14, 2009)
As the school year approaches, there is one book to put on your school supplies list this fall. It is a book for parents titled How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope For Parents..." (Read review)
DrugFree.org (August 11, 2009)
From recognizing the risks that make kids vulnerable, to empowering children to make safe and healthy decisions, readers of Califano's latest book will learn the ins and outs of protecting their families and preventing substance abuse and addiction. (Read review)
Connecticut Post (August 7, 2009)
In the book, Califano outlines nine "facets of parental engagement" that can help parents raise a healthy, substance free child. These include parental involvement in children's lives and activities, maintaining family rituals (such as eating dinner together) and keeping the lines of communication open between parents and children. (Read review)
Newsday (August 4, 2009)
With Long Island police and politicians expressing alarm about local heroin deaths, this book by Califano - head of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and former U.S. secretary of health, education and welfare - couldn't be timelier. Or more urgent. (Read review)
PRESS RELEASE
How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents
By Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
Published by Simon & Schuster's Touchstone/Fireside Division as an original paperback for $15.00.
(August 11, 2009)
NEW YORK, NY – Every parent dreams of a healthy, productive and fulfilling future for their child. However, the sobering truth – and greatest threat to that future -- is that nearly every child in America will be offered drugs or alcohol before graduating high school.
Based on nearly two decades of research at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, and his experience as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, CASA Founder and Chairman Joseph A. Califano, Jr. has written a new book, HOW TO RAISE A DRUG-FREE KID:THE STRAIGHT DOPE FOR PARENTS, a comprehensive, straightforward, readable and usable guide to keeping kids drug free during their formative pre-teen, teen, and college years.
In HOW TO RAISE A DRUG-FREE KID, Califano expands on CASA’s two most important findings – the child who stays away from drugs, tobacco, and abusing alcohol until age 21 is virtually certain to steer clear of these substances forever, and teens who learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are much less likely to try them. The book also offers advice on many of the most daunting parenting topics, including:
- When and how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol.
- How to respond when your kid asks, “Did you ever try drugs?”
- How to know when your child is most at risk.
- How to prepare your teen for the freedoms and perils of college.
Califano, father of five and grandfather of eight, offers nine facets of parental engagement which include: getting involved in your children’s lives, keeping communication lines open, setting a good example, setting rules that are to be followed, monitoring your children’s whereabouts, maintaining family rituals, incorporating spirituality in family life, getting and keeping dad engaged and community engagement.
He warns parents about what drugs are likeliest to tempt teens, offers a snapshot of a teen’s world, informs parents about the times and circumstances that increase a child’s risk of substance abuse and alerts parents to the signs of teen substance abuse and what to do if they see those signs. HOW TO RAISE A DRUG-FREE KID also includes a thorough glossary of terms and substances as well as a resource guide for parents.
The world of today’s children is filled with messages that make smoking, drinking and using drugs seem sexy and cool. HOW TO RAISE A DRUG-FREE KID describes specific, effective actions parents can take to teach, protect and empower their children to resist drugs and alcohol.
“A parent’s tool box for today. An invaluable primer to help you help your children navigate the difficult and contradictory messages about drugs and alcohol.”
- Jamie Lee Curtis, mother, author of children’s books and actress
Original Paperback Book (US $15.00, Canada $19.99).
All author royalties from the sale of the book are being donated to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
