"Beautiful Boy" author reaches out to parents as a guest blogger on Drugfree.org

Feb 26 2008

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is proud to have David Sheff, parent and author of "Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction," as a guest blogger on the Partnership's parent-to-parent blog, Decoder (decoder.drugfree.org), which engages the everyday issues of raising healthy, drug-free teens.

Sheff's blog debuted on February 26, 2008 and he joins a panel of parents who discuss substance abuse, teen culture, current events pertaining to teenage drug and alcohol abuse and other parenting concerns.

Based on his New York Times Magazine article, "My Addicted Son," Sheff's "Beautiful Boy" is an insightful memoir detailing his son Nic's descent into methamphetamine addiction. Providing a firsthand parent's perspective on teenage addiction, Sheff's compelling account has captured the nation's attention and reveals the overwhelming impact of one family's struggle to help their son on the road to recovery. Published by Houghton Mifflin, "Beautiful Boy" was selected by Starbucks Entertainment (starbucksentertainment.com/beautifulboy) as the next book to be sold in its more than 7,000 company-operated locations in the U.S. Sheff will embark on a traditional book tour and visit nine local Starbucks across the country to promote his memoir. His first public reading on the tour is February 26 at noon in New York City at the Starbucks at 29th and Park (424 Park Ave South). Starbucks is also helping parent teen communication by promoting tools available on TimeToTalk.org, designed to encourage and support parents and caregivers to have frequent and positive conversations with their teens to keep them healthy.

"I feel grateful for the opportunity to represent a sector of the community whose voice is rarely heard – the parents and families affected by a child's substance abuse," said Sheff. "As a parent of a child who struggled with a substance addiction, I went through stages of denial and helplessness and felt like giving up on my son, but I couldn't. I hope by sharing my experience in ‘Beautiful Boy' and on the Decoder blog, I'll have the chance to connect with others who have had or are currently having similar experiences with a loved one's drug abuse."

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization uniting communications professionals, renowned scientists and parents. Best known for its national drug-education campaign, the Partnership's mission is to reduce illicit drug use in America. Now in its 20th year, the Partnership helps parents and caregivers effectively address drug and alcohol abuse with their children. A major new initiative now unfolding integrates the latest science and research with the most effective traditional media and digital communication techniques to give parents the tools, resources and support they need to help their children lead healthy lives. This effort – the first ever for the Partnership – will include a web-based interactive information resource center, parent-to-parent support network, a national toll-free call center and user-friendly online/offline tools. The Partnership depends on donations and support from individuals, corporations, foundations and government. The Partnership thanks SAG/AFTRA for their ongoing generosity.

About the Partnership for a Drug-Free America

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit coalition of communication, health, medical and educational professionals working to reduce illicit drug use and help people live healthy, drug-free lives. To learn more about drug abuse and its risks, please visit the Partnership for a Drug-Free America at www.drugfree.org. For helpful tips and tools on talking to your kids about teenage drug and alcohol abuse, visit TimeToTalk.org.