“The continued presence of substance abuse by youth in this country is unquestionable testimony to the fact that we need to do a more effective job for the sake of our young people and the well-being of our society,” said Julieta Santagostino, the Director of the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World.

The Florida group joined forces in an international effort by all chapters of the Foundation around the globe to create a massive impact in their community through education about the harmful effects of drugs. The Florida group distributed 3000 of its information booklets in the Tampa Bay area over one weekend.

In Ybor City, while another group was circulating a petition to legalize medical marijuana, members of the Drug-Free World chapter passed out its Truth About Drugs booklets, which contain explicit explanations about the harm caused by drug abuse, including marijuana.

Concurrently, three local bands (also members of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World) - The Jam Band, John Gold, and WD-HAN - entertained the public while spreading the word of a drug-free world through their music.

The Foundation for a Drug Free World is a non-profit organization actively involved in education programs in schools and in the community. The program is mainly addressed to youth. For information about drugs, the program, or to schedule a lecturer go to www.drugfreeworld.org.

And for the person with a drug problem, there are real solutions to addiction. Narconon, a drug rehabilitation program that utilizes the methods of L. Ron Hubbard, has a success rate of more than 75% (www.narconon.org).

The best solution, however, is not to begin using drugs in the first place.