John, a Narconon Graduate and Drug Prevention Specialist, delivered an eye-opening and revealing lecture on drugs to 120 elementary and middle school children this week as his part in making the truth about drugs known for Red Ribbon Week.
John's lectures are so successful, because he knows drugs from the dark side up. He's been there and lived it. John, in his youth was addicted to cocaine and endured his own battle with drug abuse which appeared to have no solution until his parents brought him to a Narconon drug rehabilitation program.
After successfully completing the Narconon program, John' nightmare of addiction was over for good. John with his new found zest for life, a zest previously subdued by drugs, now wanted to give back. He trained on drug prevention and began lecturing in schools, church groups and communities to speak about drugs and the dangers of addiction. Recently, John has been addressing Florida given Central Florida is labeled a "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)" by White House Drug Policy.
According to the White House Drug Policy the average age for starting drugs in Central Florida Schools is 12-14 years of age, elementary and middle school children need the drug prevention tools the most before becoming hooked on drugs for life. As John says, "Knowing the truth about drugs is the biggest factor in keeping youth from ever becoming addicted in the first place. Nobody ever explained to me why I shouldn't have done drugs. I was told not to do drugs as a kid but I never knew why until I did Narconon."
Drug prevention is what Red Ribbon Week is all about. In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NPF) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and First Lady Nancy Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons. Today, the NFP estimates that more than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events each year. The campaign unifies communities to take a stand against drugs and show intolerance for illicit drug use and the consequences.
In addition, children need to be armed with the truth about drugs to stay truly clean for life. Given the traps of drug use are many, it's necessary for a full understanding as to why illicit drugs are harmful for kids to stay truly clean. As John says,
"Our drug prevention presentations are very effective because we start to educate kids at a young age so that they understand what drugs really are and what they do to a person."
John's lecture covers the effect of drugs on the body and the mind. "I wanted people to know how easy it is to get hooked on drugs and the reason why." he adds.
In the spirit of Red Ribbon Week John continues to educate and inform. "Whether it's delivering drug education talks in schools, churches or to community groups, Narconon's purpose is to permanently end addiction." he says.
To get help for someone you love or for more information about effective drug education and rehabilitation in Florida, contact Narconon at 877-237-3307.
