French fries, World Wide Web to tackle drug use

Group plans to utilize food, Internet to inform teens and their families about substance abuse.

By Janine Marnien
News-Press

November 21 2002

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- High school students in La Canada Flintridge could soon be eligible for regular helpings of free French fries from the local McDonald's as part of the Community Prevention Council's campaign to reach out to youth and their families.

The council -- named after its goal to help prevent drug use by teens -- is working on a three-pronged plan to provide information, support and alternative activities to teens in efforts to curb substance abuse.

Part of the plan includes a card with contact information for teen hotlines on one side and a French fry voucher on the other side, which McDonald's has agreed to honor.

"That means they will keep it in their wallet or purse, because it's worth free fries," said Will Moffitt, chairman of the council. "The idea on our part is to eliminate the excuse, 'I didn't know who to call,' or 'I didn't have anyone to call.' Hopefully, no student will ever need those numbers."

The two other aspects of the plan include a Web site with movie listings, local sports scores and events, college information, local music events, information on violence, sex and drugs and contests with prizes like a free tank of gas to attract users to the site. The site is modeled after a similar program in Santa Clarita, presented to community leaders Saturday. Youth Council member Michael Caswell said the program was worth duplicating locally.

"If it helps one out of however many kids there are in La Canada, it's been successful," he said.

An outreach worker available to La Canada Flintridge schools would also be recruited to provide a listening ear and referrals to students in need. Officials hope all three goals will be in place by the start of next school year.

Mayor Dave Spence said he was impressed with the program because it didn't make a judgment on whether there was a large or small problem with teen drug use in the community.

"One kid with a problem is significant to La Canada Flintridge," he said. "It's better to help that one kid with a program in place than to let them slip through the cracks."