Ex-addict gives back to the community. The Narconon drug ed program helps spread message about the dangers of drugs to Florida youth before it’s too late.
John, a Narconon graduate and Drug Prevention Specialist, like many, did not start out with a drug-free life. Addicted to cocaine as an adolescent and young adult, he fought his own battle with substance abuse that ended with his parents sending him to a Narconon drug rehabilitation program .
After successfully completing treatment at Narconon, John decided to give back and underwent drug prevention training to visit schools, church groups and communities to speak about drugs and the dangers of addiction. Today John believes that education and prevention are the first steps in stopping drug use before it starts. Recently, he has taken a particular interest in educating people in Florida with the current drug use statistics for adolescents in the state.
According to the White House Drug Policy , approximately 11% of Florida high school students reported abusing prescription drugs and 15% of school aged kids have used marijuana in the last 30 day. In addition, 10% of kids ages 12 to 17 reported the use of an illicit drug over a one month period in Florida, showing a great need for effective drug education.
“Knowing the truth about drugs is the biggest factor in keeping youth from ever becoming addicted in the first place,” says John. “Nobody ever explained me to 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. 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 understands that drug education is the first step to handling addiction and that was why he decided to help educate Florida youth on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. “I wanted people to know how easy it is to get hooked on drugs and the reason why,” he says.
Even with drug prevention organizations set up in Florida such as the Florida Alliance for Endangered Children, Florida Office of Drug Control and Community Coalitions Prevention Center, Narconon drug education in Florida is a much needed component to stopping teen and adolescent drug use before it starts.
And for those that are already addicted, Narconon offers successful drug rehabilitation in Florida that achieves a more than 70% success rate for permanent sobriety and currently operates three centers in the state.
“Whether it’s delivering drug education talks in schools, churches or to community groups, Narconon’s purpose is to permanently end addiction,” says John.
To get help for someone you love or for more information about effective drug education and rehabilitation in Florida contact us today at 877-237-3307.