1.  What drug is involved in 1/3 of all suicides, 1/2 of all murders, and 1/2 of all fatal car accidents?
2.  Name 2 characteristics of inhalants that make them particularly attractive to 10- to 15- year-olds.
3.  What is the difference between “blacking out” and “passing out?”
4.  Would it be an overstatement to say that cigarette smoking is now as important a cause of death as the great epidemics of typhoid, cholera, and tuberculosis in the past?
5.  What is leukoplakia? *

Students became conversant with the legalities, benefits, and risks of substances as diverse as prescription pills, steroids, chewing tobacco, and crack.  They learned the health benefits of laughter and techniques for handling stress positively.  They became familiar with important life skills (decision-making, ways of reducing personal risk factors, saying no, etc.).  In a word, through the program they learned to make decisions based upon fact vs. myth, on sound thinking vs. emotion.

Perhaps that’s why the community has been so supportive.  Each of our sponsors knows that substance abuse is our nation’s #1 health problem.  Moreover, they recognize the power and potential this prevention strategy has to provide more than mere information (i.e., to make available specific tools as well as confidence in dealing with peer pressure) to thousands of public, private, and parochial school students at precisely the time research indicates they typically are faced with having to make their first real-life decisions about alcohol and other drug use.

According to John Learish, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Rite Aid, “One of Rite Aid’s core values is to be actively involved in the
communities that we serve.  We are very proud to sponsor the Rite Aid Drug Quiz Show and continue our commitment to helping young people lead happier, healthier lives by educating them on the dangers of drug abuse.”

The Rite Aid Drug Quiz Show is essentially a volunteer run, cost-effective project with a proven track record of replicability.  It has won numerous awards including the New York State Education Week Competition and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ highest honor: the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Community Health Promotions.  With pride in our progress and even greater hope for the future, we look forward to the day when all students will have this opportunity to positively influence their own growth and development!

*1.  Alcohol.  
2.  Accessibility and low cost.  
3.  During a “blackout” a drinker remains awake but suffers temporary memory loss; the next day he/she can’t remember what happened while drinking.  In contrast, people who “pass out,” actually become unconscious
4.  No, not according to the British Royal College of Physicians
5.  White, leathery, potentially pre-cancerous patches that can appear in the mouth, for example, as a result of a person’s using chewing tobacco.

Clinton Middle School (Oneida County) earned its unbelievable sixth Grand Champion title at the 2008 Finals competition in May, making it the school with the most Finals wins in Drug Quiz Show history. Mary Beth King, Clinton’s Advisor, also helped her students bring home the trophy in 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, and 2006. To honor their success, team members were awarded individual trophies, a large traveling trophy which will be housed at the school for one year, and a $300 “Drug-Free Night On the Town.” Congratulations, Clinton! Way to go!

New York State Regional Play-offs
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 (snow date = Thursday, April 23rd)
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Marley Education Center, Syracuse, NY

New York State Finals
Monday, June 1, 2009
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, Syracuse, NY

If you’re new to the Rite Aid Drug Quiz Show … welcome! We invite you to learn more about our program by browsing the site.  Just click the tabs on the right side of this page.  Or check out our Newsletter.  Should you have questions or need additional information, don’t hesitate to contact us.

If you are a Regional Coordinator or School Advisor, please take a moment to register. Once the Syracuse office has verified your information, you’ll receive an email letting you know you’ve been approved to enter your special section of the site. On subsequent visits, all you’ll have to do is login by entering your email address and password. This will give you access to study materials, information, and forms designed just for you. Download and print any or all of these items at your convenience.

As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Your insight is invaluable to making the web site meaningful and workable. Enjoy!