300 NYC High School Students To "Shatter The Myths" Around Drug Misuse In An Innovative, Proven Peer-To-Peer Program

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the U.S. is facing its most challenging drug epidemic in history, the need to prevent adolescence drug misuse is imperative. To focus attention to this matter, Mentor Foundation USA together with SEB will today host a Youth Drug Facts Rally at Rachel Carson High School in NYC (521 West Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224) between 9:30a.m.-12:45p.m. During the day, 300 high school students will have the chance to interact with top U.S. scientific experts and inspiring guest speakers to help "shatter the myths" around drug and misuse, and pledge to stay drug-free.

The event is sponsored by SEB, a leading Nordic financial services group and a longtime supporter of Mentor Foundation USA.  "We support future generations. We choose partnerships that highlight SEB's role in society, in the countries where we operate and in programs that promote the basis for successful growth: entrepreneurship, good conditions for children and youth through financial literacy, social inclusion, music and learning." ? SEB.

The program, which is rapidly expanding across the U.S. is designed to dispel the myths surrounding drug misuse and provide youth a platform to speak up and out against drugs.  Special guest speakers include Dr. Maureen Boyle, Chief of the Science Policy Branch at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Erik Beresnoy from Young People in Recovery (YPR), and Bill Williams, who tragically lost his young son to an accidental overdose in 2012.

During the event, the students will also express their own feelings around drug and substance misuse through a poetry slam contest. "By focusing on the innate talents youth have and providing a platform to make their voices heard, young people can become their own advocates for staying drug?free," says Michaela Pratt, President of Mentor Foundation USA.

Since Mentor Foundation USA launched "Shatter the Myths" in 2011, the program has reached more than 15,000 high school students across the U.S. 

About Mentor Foundation USA is a member affiliate of Mentor International, which was founded in 1994 by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and the World Health Organization and is the largest network of its kind for evidence based programs that prevent drug abuse among youth. Mentor Foundation USA is a Delaware registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.

Michaela Pratt: (571) 458-7051
[email protected]

SOURCE Mentor Foundation USA