Former first lady Nancy Reagan passed away Sunday at the age of 94. Briggette Sayegh has a look back at what could be described as the crowning jewel of Reagan's legacy -- her "Just Say No" campaign.
Former first lady and actress Nancy Reagan passed away on Sunday. Known for many things, including as a fierce advocate for Alzheimers research, she will perhaps be remembered most for pioneering an anti-drug campaign. And she did it with three words.
The "Just Say No" campaign was meant to help kids and teens stay off drugs. The slogan is still used today and was the focus of anti-drug commercials throughout the 80s and 90s.
Health officials praise the "Just Say No" campaign, saying it led to an increase in awareness about the dangers of illegal drugs, which hit an all time high during the Reagan administration.
"There was actually much much more to it then just the 'Just Say No' slogan," said Jim Conklin of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County. "There was classroom curricular activities, caricature development, decision making -- all those skills we try and teach young people still around today in our substance abuse prevention campaign."
Conklin credits Reagan's campaign for the increase in funding and awareness for youth based prevention programs.
"'Just Say No' slogan caught on nationally and remains today. It's had a very long life and is still referred to-sometimes not always seriously- but it should be. It was the beginning of more research being done, more attention being paid to prevention," Conklin said.
Conklin says despite Reagan's passing, the 'Just Say No' campaign will survive. He says that thanks to efforts of the former first lady, it has become part of America's national fabric.