The chiropractic profession has been on the defensive for many years. The antitrust suit against the AMA was its first strike back, spurred by the idea of gaining more control of its future.

Chiropractors throughout the country have been searching for a re-positioning of chiropractic away from being labeled "back doctors," doctors of the spine, etc., into being recognized as a profession that is more widely and positive accepted by society.

One of the most effective means to accomplish this goal is to have the profession band together in a united effort to improve our society, and no improvement is more critical right now than the elimination of drug abuse.

For the past few years, while individuals and religious organizations alike have opposed the use and abuse of drugs, there has been no profession in America emerging as a leader in this campaign.

Now, as hundreds of chiropractors are joining forces to represent chiropractic as the "Say No To Drugs" profession, it appears as though chiropractic may fill that much-needed role. For a profession to adopt a goal of a drug-free society by 1993 would be a tremendous occurrence and an act of great public distinction.

A grassroots movement has been started by chiropractors who are leading lectures or originating petition campaigns and contests for schools -- all to help reduce the use of drugs in our society. One such doctor involved with the campaign is Barbara Salmon, D.C.

In October, 1986, Drs. John and Barbara Salmon of the Salmon Chiropractic Clinic in New Orleans, contacted the Belle Promenade Mall and urged its managers to take part in the "Set a Good Example Contest" which had been started by the Concerned Businessmen's Association of America. Local schools were asked to participate and many of them competed in both national and local contests.

The local contest was sponsored jointly by the Salmon Chiropractic Clinic, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the Manhattan Athletic Club.

The Salmon Clinic also sponsored a 10K "Run Against Drugs" that took place at the Mall on the weekend of the contest kickoff in January of this year.

During the months between the kickoff and the awards ceremony, Dr. Barbara Salmon lectured to numerous school children in the New Orleans area. She discussed with the children reasons why people do things they know they shouldn't do, such as peer pressure, inability to cope, and curiosity. In her talks, she also touched upon the familiar chiropractic concept of treating the source of the problem rather than the symptoms.

If children -- or adults -- are having difficulty coping, she explained, turning to drugs, whether prescription or street drugs, is the wrong way to handle the situation. She emphasized the need to address the real problem in order to reach a satisfactory resolution. Belying their young ages, the children seemed to understand exactly what she was talking about -- and responded enthusiastically to the lectures.

Moving from the school room to the general public, Salmon spread her message about her lecture program and the "Set a Good Example Contest" in a live interview for the "CBS Morning News." Almost immediately, she began to receive calls from other schools in and outside the local area that wanted to join the anti-drug contest and campaign.

In April, a gala awards celebration for the contest was held at the Belle Promenade Mall. Top business and community leaders including Jerry Merlino, West Bank Guide executive publisher, State Rep. N.J. D'Amico, and Richard Illg of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office served as judges.

Salmon was on hand to present the awards along with two well-known entertainment celebrities: Tonya Crowe of "Knots Landing," and Angela Lee of "Who's the Boss?" Three schools, Archbishop Blenk High School, Gretna Junior High, and Paul J. Solis Elementary School each received a $2,000 award.

Plans for next year's contest are already in the works. Salmon has been attending meetings of the local Substance Abuse Prevention Education (S.A.P.E.) organization. During the gatherings of this ongoing Louisiana school system program, she has encouraged even greater participation in next year's contest. She's also agreed to train local high school students to present anti-drug lectures in local schools and community groups to encourage fellow students to "Say No To Drugs."