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CyberShoutout Materials

Participating in National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) just got even easier! We encourage you to participate in the NDFW CyberShoutout to educate teens about drug abuse. All you have to do to participate is tweet, blog or Facebook with any or all of the suggested language below to spread the word about NDFW and help shatter the myths about drug abuse. Here's how to get started:

  • Click on the links below to see a variety of examples you can use
  • Copy the language you want to use on your blog or social networking site
  • Start shattering myths!

Sample CyberShoutout Blog Post

You may have some messages you want teens to know. In that case, feel free to insert your own shoutout.  One idea is to share why you care about ending drug abuse and making healthy choices.  Some examples are provided below.

Shoutout to Educate Teens About Drug Abuse
Today, I'm joining teens, parents, teachers, and scientists across America to kick off National Drug Facts Week by offering up my own shoutout for educating teens about drug abuse.

Sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Drug Facts Week is an official health observance designed to shatter the myths and spread the facts about drug abuse and addiction.

Add your voice today and post your own drug abuse shoutout on your blog, Facebook profile, Twitter account—or wherever you see fit. When you choose to speak, you choose to act.

Learn more about today's "CyberShoutout" in support of National Drug Facts Week by checking NIDA's Sara Bellum Blog, which will be posting updates all day and recognizing the voices of those who participate—Yours could be one of them!

Feel like shouting out to the world about the dangers of drug abuse? Try some of NIDA's shoutouts provided below for Facebook (include tag @DrugFacts), Twitter (include tag #drugfacts2011), and beyond—or come up with your own… together, we can help create change through sharing what we know:

  • I'm shouting out to the truly amazing winners of Addiction Science Awards at this year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) – way to go Sarah, Darby and Yamini!
  • I'm shouting out about National Drug Facts Week 2013 which runs January 28 - February 3, 2013. Go to http://drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov to see who is having an event.
  • In 2010, cigarette smoking among 12th graders was at its lowest point in the history of NIDA's MTF survey. I'm shouting out to make it even lower in 2013!
  • From 2002 to 2009, monthly cigarette use fell from 13.0% to 8.9% among 12 to 17 year-olds. I'm shouting out to get this down to zero.
  • In 2010, nearly 1 in 12 high school seniors reported abusing Vicodin. I'm shouting out to let people know how dangerous this is. In 2007, the number of overdose deaths from prescription pain medicines outnumbered those involving heroin and cocaine combined.
  • Among 12th graders, past year non-medical use of Vicodin went down from 9.7% to 8%. I'm shouting out so more seniors get the message that Vicodin is dangerous.
  • I'm shouting out because long-term marijuana use CAN lead to addiction in some people. Addiction means people can't control their use of marijuana, even though it may negatively affect family relationships, school performance, and extracurricular activities.
  • Daily marijuana use increased significantly among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders from 2009 to 2010. I'm shouting out so people know that regular marijuana use increases your risk of addiction.
  • In 2010, more high school seniors used marijuana in the past 30 days (21.4 percent) than cigarettes (19.2 percent). I'm shouting out to let people know that marijuana isn't harmless.
  • Methamphetamine use has steadily declined since the '90s, from 6.5% in 1999 to 2.2% in 2010. I'm shouting out because this is awesome. Let's get it down to zero.
  • After several years of decline, current and past year use of Ecstasy has risen among 8th and 10th graders. I'm shouting out to remind everyone that ecstasy can be harmful.
  • The past year use of an illicit drug reported by eighth-graders jumped from 14.5% to 16%. I'm shouting out to keep eighth graders from making bad decisions.

Twitter Shoutouts:


  • I'm shouting out because I know that everybody is NOT doing it. #drugfacts2011
  • I'm shouting out because the side effects alone are NOT worth it. #drugfacts2011
  • I'm shouting out because nearly 1.9 million youth, age 12 to 17, abused prescription drugs last year and that is too many. #drugfacts2011
  • I'm shouting out because I care about my students. #drugfacts2011

Sample Tweets for the Sara Bellum CyberShoutout

Like to tweet? We’ve provided sample tweets that you can easily copy and paste to tweet from your personal Twitter account or your organization’s Twitter account. Please note that the "@" symbol allows you to tag your friends, your colleagues, or other organizations in a tweet to spread the word and to encourage others to join in NIDA’s National Drug Facts Week CyberShoutout.

Facebook Sample Status Updates

Below we've provided sample Facebook status updates that you can easily copy and paste to participate in the CyberShoutout and help show your support for National Drug Facts Week!

Please note that the "@" sign and the words "DrugFacts" will tag the National Drug Facts Week Facebook page, which will lead your friends or followers to more information.

Please remember to update your privacy settings for this day so that NIDA can see when you tag the National Drug Facts Week page. If you're sending status updates from a profile, make sure they are viewable to "everyone" instead of "friends only."

  • I'm joining @DrugFacts CyberShoutout to shatter the myths about drug abuse. Join me: link to your blog post or link to http://bit.ly/9rUsL8.
  • It's National Drug Facts Week! My CyberShoutout goes to @_____ @_____ @_____ @____. Join @DrugFacts and me in shattering the myths about drug abuse. (link to your blog post or link to http://bit.ly/9rUsL8.
  • @_____ @_____ @_____ @_____ you've been tagged! Spread the word about National Drug Facts Week and tag 5 other friends to help spread the word→ http://bit.ly/9rUsL8.
  • Are you up to the challenge? Take the National Drug IQ Challenge to test your knowledge on drug abuse and addiction http://bit.ly/booNxW @DrugFacts
  • I just took the National Drug IQ Challenge and got XX! Can you beat me? http://bit.ly/booNxW @DrugFacts
  • @DrugFacts about Addiction: Whether you become addicted to a drug and how quickly you become addicted depends on many factors including your genes & the biology of your body.
  • @DrugFacts about Ecstasy: Ecstasy alters the senses, impairs memory, and judgment, and may leave you depressed when its effects wear off.
  • @DrugFacts about HIV/AIDS: Drug use can affect the area of the brain that people use to weigh risks and make decisions affecting their health.
  • @DrugFacts about Inhalants: Inhalants are often among the first drugs that young adolescents use. Sudden sniffing death is the term used to describe what can happen to some users.
  • @DrugFacts about Prescription Drugs: Rx drugs can have dangerous short- & long-term health effects when used incorrectly or without prescription.
  • @DrugFacts about Stimulants: Stimulants can cause the body's blood vessels to narrow, slowing the flow of blood, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood.
  • @DrugFacts about Tobacco: Tobacco has been conclusively linked to leukemia, cataracts, and pneumonia, and accounts for about 1/3 of all cancer deaths.
  • Every day 2,000 teens on average use Rx drugs for the first time - without a doctor's prescription http://bit.ly/d4d6Oj.
  • In 2007, prescription pain meds were involved in more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined http://bit.ly/djfjGi.
  • The chances of becoming addicted to any drug differ for everyone. http://bit.ly/c8eI6I.
  • Drugs reset brain's pleasure meter, making you feel sad without drugs. Normal fun stops making you happy http://bit.ly/cP4kHV.

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