SAVE A STAR

THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

The Rx Factor

Executive Summary

DEA Educational Foundation
The Rx Factor

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused prescription drugs in 2005, compared with 3.8 million in 2000, representing a 68% increase in five years. There are more Emergency Room visits and overdose deaths caused by prescription drug abuse than by cocaine, heroin, hallucinogenics, and inhalants combined. These sobering statistics indicate just how important the issue of prescription drug abuse and diversion is today.

To assist in the raising of awareness of the fastest growing drug problem in America today, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Museum, located in Arlington, VA, recently unveiled a new exhibit entitled Good Medicine, Bad Behavior: Drug Diversion in America. Funded by the DEA Educational Foundation, this exhibit presents an historic and contemporary look at pharmaceutical diversion in the United States. The DEA brings nearly a century of experience as the federal government’s lead agency on the enforcement and regulatory oversight of the pharmaceutical industry. Close to 1.3 million doctors, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers are registered with DEA. This translates into leadership on the prescription drug issue, including active enforcement efforts, as well as to legitimacy when DEA speaks to the problem of prescription drug abuse.

When the DEA Museum and the DEA Educational Foundation opened the exhibit in November of 2007, the immediate reaction by everyone present was “when can this be taken on the road to educate more Americans on the rising problem of prescription drug abuse?” To jumpstart this mobile initiative, a leadership gift was presented by David and Gail Katz and the SAVE A STAR Foundation, in honor and memory of their 25 year old son, Daniel, who five months earlier had died of a prescription drug overdose. Their gift was used to fund a feasibility study to explore and develop a truly mobile experience; one that will move around the country to schools, state fairs, festivals, sporting venues and conferences, carrying the message of the costs and consequences of prescription drug abuse to millions of American children, parents and teachers.

THE Rx FACTOR EXPERIENCE

Recognizing that the mobility of a traveling exhibit provides the ability to deliver significant impact on the message of the dangers of prescription drug abuse to communities across the country in a short period of time, the task before us was to design, develop and implement a vehicle to deliver such a message, as well as face to face interaction to the general public on the fastest growing drug problem in America today.

Data shows that over the course of a single year, a mobile exhibit on the road has more than fourteen million visual impressions, and that more than 80% of those viewers have one to three children. And, as previously mentioned, the Rx Factor would appear at a range of “critical mass” events across the country, such as state fairs, festivals, and sporting venues. Likewise, the dynamic environment of the Rx Factor would be able to serve audiences such as inner-city youth, rural Americans, and the elderly, as well as audiences that would not travel to science centers or museums.

The strategy being employed is to take the existing museum-based exhibit Good Medicine, Bad Behavior: Drug Diversion in America and update it with the latest facts and figures on national trends in prescription drug abuse and diversion. Added to that will be an array of interactive and experiential activities in order to create an educational environment dealing with the serious and often deadly costs and consequences of prescription drug abuse, concluding with a truly interactive “Agent of Change” website.

The exhibit will balance information with experience; merging the goal of awareness and education with visually dramatic content on the effects of prescription drug abuse on the body and the mind. Communicating the essential message of “what you don’t know can literally kill you”, the content will drive home the point that though innocent looking, misuse and mixing of prescription drugs is very dangerous and can be deadly.

The entire content will be then placed inside a specially designed self-contained vehicle to travel to cities and communities across the country. Re-named the Rx Factor: the Drug Dealer is Closer Than You Think to reflect the enhanced content and the youth focus of this dramatic initiative, the exhibit will demonstrate graphically both the short and long-term effects of prescription drug abuse while at the same time creating a dialogue between students, families, parents and teachers, thus giving teens a chance to interact peer to peer and with adults they trust.

Based on the results of our feasibility study, we feel that to maximize the impact of the traveling exhibit, we need a 53’ double expandable trailer supported by a 48’ gooseneck trailer. This combination will not only provide the greatest amount of useable space available in a mobile exhibit, it allows for a theatre/presentation experience without using valuable space inside the main exhibit trailer. This turn-key operational exhibit will have a climate controlled interior, allowing for operation in most weather scenarios. Also, it will have a ramped entrance and exit, allowing for handicapped accessibility.

A dedicated and trained management team will handle all aspects of set up and program activation, including the day-to-day responsibilities for site selection, permits and other event related needs.

THE GOAL

In order to have the Rx Factor “road ready”, the DEA Educational Foundation seeks to raise an initial $3.3 million dollars. This consists of $1.5 million to construct the exhibit and an additional $1.8 million to sustain the exhibit over the course of a ten month annual tour. We are currently seeking major gift commitments from an elite group of respected business and financial leaders whose support to the DEA Educational Foundation will serve to motivate and inspire others to make a gift proportionate to their resources.

Acceptance to join this donor base will entitle you and/or your business organization premier recognition at all DEA Educational Foundation events and activities throughout the ten month tour of the exhibit. In addition, you, or a representative of your choosing, will play a vital role with the Rx Factor’s National Advisory Committee, which will be comprised of Civic, Corporate, Faith-Based, Law Enforcement, Media, Drug Prevention and Treatment, and School & Education groups, in bringing this very powerful message of the horrific costs and consequences of prescription drug abuse on our society. We would be pleased to welcome you into this special circle of prominent supporters.

SPONSORSHIP AND RECOGNITION

The Rx Factor delivers a unique platform to “own” a part of the critically important message concerning the costs and consequences of prescription drug abuse. Likewise, it is a cost-effective way to reach an audience directly, when and where they are most receptive.

As a sponsor, you will be associated with the DEA Museum and the DEA Educational Foundation and a high national platform with national, regional and local market activation. This will allow for your business to address a vital issue that poses a great threat to our country’s most valuable resource; its youth. The Rx Factor will help position you and your organization with families in a very unique and meaningful way.

Sponsorship opportunities are available in the following categories:

PRIMARY LEVEL SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor............................…...$1,000,000* and above

Diamond Level Sponsor………………...$750,000 to $999,999*

Platinum Level Sponsor…………………$500,000 to $749,999*

SECONDARY LEVEL SPONSORS

Gold Level Sponsor……………................$250,000 to $499,999*

Silver Level Sponsor……………………...$100,000 to $249,999*

Bronze Level Sponsor…………………….$50,000 to $99,999*

* Multi-year agreements are available.

There are several naming opportunities within the exhibit for donors at the Bronze Level and above. Please contact Bill Beach at 312-925-1251 for further information on how you can have your name, the name of your business, or the name of a loved one, permanently associated with a particular component of the exhibit.

In recognition of gifts from PRIMARY LEVEL SPONSORS, the DEA Educational Foundation extends the following:

·	Name and/or logo inclusion on exterior of trailer.
·	Name and/or logo strategically placed on interior spaces.
·	Listing of you and/or your business organization on all DEA Educational Foundation material as a Sponsor of the exhibit. Recognition would include listing on all print material, web page, and other related *Rx Factor* materials.
·	Name inclusion on all Public Address announcements where applicable.
·	Rights to refer to your organization as sponsor of the DEA Educational Foundation’s Rx Factor Mobile Exhibit.
·	Client hospitality package when exhibit is in one of your organization’s major markets.
·	Sponsorship recognition at private donor reception to be held the evening prior to the exhibit’s premier in Chicago, IL, and in other major cities during the tour, such as Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles.
·	Other customized promotional opportunities to be discussed and agreed upon.

In recognition of gifts from SECONDARY LEVEL SPONSORS, the DEA Educational Foundation extends the following: Name and/or logo strategically placed on interior spaces.

· Name and/or logo featured on highly visible interior spaces.

· Listing of you and/or your business organization on all DEA Educational Foundation material as a sponsor of the exhibit. Recognition would include listing on all print material, web page, and other related Rx Factor materials.

· Name inclusion on all Public Address announcements where applicable.

· Rights to refer to your organization as sponsor of the DEA Educational Foundation’s Rx Factor Mobile Exhibit.

· Sponsorship recognition at private donor reception to be held the evening prior to the exhibit’s premier in Chicago, IL. , and in other major cities during the tour, such as Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles.

Plans are currently underway for full publicity services, dedicated to creating and managing a comprehensive, national, regional and local media blitz of the Rx Factor exhibit. The DEA’s Office of Public Affairs has committed the full weight of their media resources for all DEA Educational Foundation efforts, with the goal to raise the greatest possible awareness for the Rx Factor exhibit.

In addition, members of the print and television media have expressed interest in interviewing the DEA Administrator prior to the launching of the Rx Factor. If possible, inclusion would be given to you or a representative from your organization to join the Administrator as a way to solidify this tremendous alliance as it relates to the education of children and their families on the costs and consequences of prescription drug abuse.

On behalf of the DEA Educational Foundation, we thank you for reviewing this Executive Summary of the Rx Factor initiative. Your acceptance of this information and subsequent investment would reflect your appreciation and understanding of the essential role education plays in preventing the loss of potential and destruction of lives caused by prescription drug abuse.