Write a National Drug Court Month OpEd

Write a National Drug Court Month OpEd

 

National Drug Court Month gets significant media attention and this year is no exception. One way to enhance this attention and ensure our message gets out is to write an OpEd. An OpEd is a newspaper article that expresses the opinions of a named writer who is unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board.
 
NADCP has produced an OpEd for distribution to large state newspapers around the country. Below is a link to the version written for the Dallas Morning News in Texas.  This is a great template for you to use to tailor for your own submission. Click here to download your template and get started.

Here are tips for getting your OpEd published:

Choose a media target. Click here to identify the newspapers in your area. Check out their website and determine the email address for their opinion page.

Find a news hook. Your Drug Court graduation is newsworthy, but give it an extra hook by relating it to the broader discussion of the economy. Your hook is that Drug Court is a proven budget solution that must be expanded in order to save valuable resources. (If your Drug Court is in jeopardy of losing funding – say so!)

Know the word limit. Newspapers have limited space, and editors don‘t have the time to cut your piece down to size. In general, 750 to 800 words will do, but check the paper‘s op-ed page to find out their preference. Stick to a single point. You only have 750 to 800 words. Make one point clearly and persuasively.
 
“Humanize” your OpEd. Illustrations, anecdotes and personal stories help explain and bring complicated issues to life. Think about your personal experiences in Drug Court and use them in the OpEd.

Make a specific recommendation. This is an opinion piece. State your opinion on what is needed to ensure your Drug Court can continue to operate effectively.

Draw the reader in, but get to the point. Your first paragraph should draw the reader in by using a dramatic vignette or a well-stated argument. If you choose to open with an anecdote or other device, make sure you quickly get to the point.

End with a bang. Your final paragraph is as important as your opening paragraph. Be sure to summarize your argument in one strong final paragraph.

Email your OpEd in the body of the email. Include a short note of introduction and your contact information.

Follow up. Most op-ed editors will respond to you within a week. If you haven‘t heard in that time frame or if your piece is particularly time sensitive, you can make one follow-up phone call to be sure it was received and ask about its status.