RUTH HARRIS

Founder/CEO - Radio Talk Show Host - Best-Selling Author

BIOGRAPHY

Ruth Harris says, "Never in history have we, parents, needed to educate our children about alcohol and other drug abuses, and now, AIDS, Hepatitis C, etc. I created the Family Workbook, "HUGS NOT DRUGS®", printed over one million to date, to alter the pervasive national conversation from fear, resignation, hopelessness, and demand for drugs to a conversation for a life-time of well-being, which will end the demand for drugs. Parents are powerful. Parents can change the world for the better. I want to help them accomplish that change. I now look forward to Family Life International, Inc. carrying the project internationally."

Harris created the Hugs Not Drugs® Project in 1983, while a northern New Jersey secondary school teacher, teaching Remedial Language Arts and Science. The Project soon went state-wide with support of the New Jersey State Elks Association and many others. Fundamental to the Project was the HUGS NOT DRUGS® Family Workbook, written by Harris, copyrighted and published by Fidelity House in 1983 for the education and prevention of alcohol and other substance abuses. These Family Workbooks were designed for parents with children, ages 6 - 12. They are easy-to-read, fun for parents, teachers and children to communicate effectively on topics, like Crack, Marijuana, Tobacco, Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, and AIDS.

Harris has a B.S. in Science, plus the equivalent of her Masters in Education from American University, Washington DC, and Kean College, NJ. She is licensed to teach K - 12 in New York and New Jersey. After two year's teaching in Manhattan's lower East Side, plus twelve years of teaching elementary and junior high schools in New Jersey, experience with wide varieties of people inspired her to write for the press on social/community and environmental issues. Ms. Harris authored a number of books, among them, "Toxic Substances and You" and "Student Depression", published by J. Weston Walsh, and "Drug Awareness Day: A Manual for Community Projects for Drug Abuse Prevention", etc. In 1983, Harris wrote "The Young Reporters Series", vignettes for role-modeling for children, two of which were produced for national TV. Then, in 1987, she wrote an AIDS update, an AIDS virus conversation, for young children, now added to the Family Workbook.

Leaving teaching in 1985 to carry the HUGS NOT DRUGS® Project nation-wide, Harris is still a frequent panelist on radio and TV. Serving as a consultant, she is acknowledged as an expert on prevention/education of preventable illnesses/addictions by numerous organizations and educational institutions. Many TV/film, sport celebrities, and VIPs share her enthusiasm for HUGS NOT DRUGS®.

As Founder and Executive Director of Family Life International, Inc., Ruth now travels throughout the United States and internationally, attending /supporting special events, making guest TV and radio appearances, and she welcomes news interviews. She continues writing. In addition, Harris produces and hosts a weekly, radio talk show, sponsored by Family Life International, Inc. and others, called "The Ruth Harris Radio Show ". Ruth enjoys her husband, two married sons, five little grandsons, and two little grand-daughters.

Hugs Not Drugs® and Hugging Heart logo are licensed, registered, and trademarked since 1983. Use of this trademarked property is donated to Family Life international, Inc by Ruth Harris. 

Some of our Celebrity Sponsors

James MacArthur, 'Danno' of "Hawaii 5-0"	Lorenzo Lamas from "Renegade"
Stephanie Powers - "Hart to Hart Show"	Bob Villa -"This Old House"
Terry Bradshaw, NFL Quarterback & Sportscaster	Regis Philbin - co-host of "Live with Regis and Kelly"
Burt Bacharach, Songwriter	Sting, "Hulk" Hogan, and Macho Man -   WWF Wrestlers
Chuck Norris, Actor