S.T.E.P. Rewards Students For Being Drug-Free; Company Uses Internet Technology and Incentives to Positively Influence Teenagers Throughout the United States and Canada.

LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 1998--Students, Teachers, Employers, and Parents (S.T.E.P.) have formed a public/private partnership, and are proud to announce a revolutionary substance abuse prevention program launching in schools across North America.

S.T.E.P. will reward students for being drug-free and promote the vision of a better alternative to substance abuse, because the problem is out of hand! The number of adolescents using illegal drugs increased 105 percent from 1992 to 1995, and continued to increase with teenagers 17 to 18 years old from 41 percent to 48 percent in 1997.

USA TODAY Education has come on board as a lead sponsor for this North America Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Program.

S.T.E.P.'s mission is to achieve demand reduction through Internet delivery of substance abuse prevention training as resource material combining technical literacy in schools, community programs serving youth and adults, and to service organizations supporting community well-being.

The program is revolutionary by rewarding a drug-free lifestyle through an incentive-based system. Corporations and organizations across North America are being called upon to include their products and services to an exclusive list of rewards used to capture the attention and reinforce the message of the value of a drug-free lifestyle.

The program has a self-funding mechanism that allows it to avoid budget cuts and policy changes as it continues to update to keep pace with the ever changing, trendy teenage target market. This source of funds is from the vast advertising budgets of the private sector instead of their limited, currently committed community contribution dollars.

S.T.E.P. offers corporations the opportunity to communicate their messages to the most sought after target audience, teenagers, in a focused manner consistent with their corporate objectives and those of making a positive impact in demand reduction.

Internet technology supports multiple versions of the program to meet the requirements of each individual, integrating their cultural, ethnic and geographic diversity.

There are two targeted age groups: 9 to 14 year olds for the introduction to awareness and resistance skills, and 15 to 18 year olds for our workplace readiness, that addresses the number one global worry of teenagers..."Getting a Good Job."

"Because teenagers think the Internet is cool, building positive messages on this medium is definitely a better way to reach this impressionable group. By combining Internet experiences with incentive driven substance abuse education, we are arming the youth of today," said John R. Eubank, founder and chairman. "Our program supports the President's goals of the Technology Literacy Challenge and Office of National Drug Control Policy's Media Campaign strategy."

"Your initiative to target our at-risk youth and establish a drug-free metropolis by involving parents, schools, and communities is brilliant and will have a positive impact on drug deterrence," said Mayor Lee Brown, Houston, Texas, former Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

S.T.E.P. will deliver its Internet-based program through USA TODAY online. The Information Technology experts of NBCC Miramichi and EBCI of New Brunswick

are completing the development of this program for delivery to schools across North America.

With the objective of establishing a family policy on substance abuse prevention, S.T.E.P. provides a means of accountability through a confidential, in home, optional drug testing program. "This unique drug prevention philosophy empowers the family unit to proactively guide their children to make healthy lifestyle choices by being drug- free," said E. Howard Taylor, Ph.D., a nationally recognized, board certified toxicologist.

S.T.E.P. will also work to influence youth through innovative programming in the areas of fashion and music. S.T.E.P. is currently working with Beth James, formerly with Nautica, to develop a line of fashion for youth by youth, that will incorporate their designs and ideas. "Through positive messages and images in marketing, and by involving teens in design, we will guide them to make the right choices...to give them a positive vision and hope for the future," said Beth James, Fashion Merchandiser.

To assist educators and students in mastering online technology, USA TODAY Education, in concert with S.T.E.P., will offer programs online to teachers that will complement their current preparation and research for course outlines, lesson planning and classroom productivity. Initially S.T.E.P will be exposed to approximately 25,000 classrooms currently serviced by USA TODAY Education Classline. S.T.E.P. will also offer chat services and parent programs in support of the goals and objectives.

Companies and organizations throughout North America have the opportunity to reach and support students committed to a drug-free lifestyle. "By featuring company products and services on our list of student incentives committed to ending youth drug abuse, we will succeed."

    CONTACT:  S.T.E.P.
               John R. Eubank, 619/551-0509
               [e-mail]
                       or
               Mary K. Black, 905/852-9199
               [e-mail]