The Real Campaign

Did you know that MOST teens in Charlotte County choose not to use tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs? That’s right. Since 2000, the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey confirms that the majority — 50% or more ­— of Charlotte County teens don’t use drugs or alcohol. Real is a campaign just for Charlotte County students, designed to celebrate and promote the fact that most teens in Charlotte County are indeed drug free.

Real messages are based in social norms theory — an approach that is designed to promote a healthy normative — or normal — behavior while debunking what students perceive to be the popular behavior — “everyone is doing it.” When students are reminded that the popular behavior is to refuse drugs and alcohol, eventually the pressure that teens feel to experiment with drugs and alcohol should be less pervasive.

Real was first launched during the 2005-2006 school year on the county’s four middle school campuses. For the 2006-2007 school year, all middle school and ninth grade students will participate in the Real campaign.

Real is a collaborative project between Drug Free Charlotte County, Charlotte County Public Schools, and Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Charlotte County Government.

Parents or community members can support the campaign by or by making a to Drug Free Charlotte County.