
	What do 99.99% of all Crack Addicts, Heroin Addicts, Crystal Meth Addicts and other hard-core drug addicts have in common? Hard drugs were NOT the first drug they ever tried - AND - they had other addictive habits they turned to for escape and comfort before progressing to the hard drugs. Scott's Program begins with a powerful assembly presentation to the entire student body. Using his own life story, students get to see how bullying, name calling and verbal abuse can cause their victims to turn to addictions of all sorts (in order to escape their emotional pain). At the same time, students get to see how bad habits can lead to the hardest of drugs and chronic addictions - and how character education values - like telling the truth, apologizing to others we've hurt, shifting from blaming others (or playing the victim) to taking responsibility, creating a future, and being of service to others - are the keys to living a powerful life, free from addiction. Students are shown that all addictions start off as a choice - a choice that starts with a bad habit. At the end of his assembly presentation, Scott invites students with seemingly addictive habits of ANY sort to attend a three hour all-addictions/Healthy Habits workshop. No work is involved for teachers in having to identify, chase down, or advertise the workshop to students. We bussed in nearly 1000 kids throughout 8 schools to have them hear your message. And was that ever a good decision. You were just so gut honest. You told them the way it was. There was no hedging. And you weren't preachy at all. You bared your soul to us, and not many people would be willing to do that...You gave the kids what they needed to hear. And that's what I was looking for. Nancy Farley-Holmes, Principal Upper Canada District School Board, Spencerville, Ontario You saved lives today! After 21 years as an educator, I've seen kids die because of addiction. When we see it happen, we ask ourselves what we could have done to prevent it. Now we have an answer. We have you now. Rick Christie, Vice Principal Fenelon Falls Secondary School You could have heard a pin drop when he talked about his personal experience. But it wasn't just about telling his story. He gave students real ideas on how to prevent falling into addiction. Things to look for and how to help others. How to identify addictive things. And it wasn't just about one particular drug or addiction. He also talked about bullying, low self-esteem, things that trigger some of these addictions what [kids] can do to try and improve their lives, and to get better. We TOTALLY got our money's worth. Eric Dallin, Vice Principal Humberside Collegiate, Toronto, Ontario Scott's presentations are appropriate for grades 6 and up, and are customized around the unique concerns of each school, encompassing drug abuse, any and all addictions, self-esteem and bullying. Scott illustrates clear connections on how bullying, name calling and verbal abuse can lead their victims to bad habits, which can in turn, be the gateway to the progressively more destructive, harder drugs. Sharing his own experience, Scott shows students: How and Why to Avoid: Becoming addicted to Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and other obsessive behaviors Destructive decisions that lead to feelings of low self-esteem Bullying, teasing, name calling How and Why to: Change how they think about themselves and others Realize the impact of bullying, name-calling and other forms of verbal abuse Realize the impact of how one bad habit can lead to a life of never ending addictions if not stopped while there is still time Identify if they or their friends may have the symptoms of a potential addiction problem. Change how they think about themselves and others Scott is dedicated to helping others heal the past, change the present, and create a powerful future where anything is possible. He shares his story to demonstrate the grim reality of how difficult it really is to turn your life around when you don't do it now while your in school. Offering them hope and possibilities, he teaches them that everything in life is a choice and that tomorrows quality of life is based on today's decisions. He identifies personal decisions we all made, based on events that happened in our past, that contributed to our feelings of isolation, and low self-esteem. He provides students with ideas on how they can have control over their life circumstances. Scott gives new hope and direction to those who are on the brink of making destructive, life altering decisions, and shows them how to take back their right to chose a better life. Using an illustrative power-point presentation, the design of his talks are customized around the unique challenges of each school. Scott's assembly message is 60 minutes in length and can include a very powerful question and answer segment. What other people are saying about Scott's presentation... A lot of times speakers will come in and talk about why "you shouldn't do drugs." But that's just not good enough. Kids are used to us telling them that. What affects them is hearing your story and hearing the impacts it had on your life and the lives of people around you. Telling a kid "don't do this" and don't do that" simply doesn't work. Throughout your talk I was saying to myself "Yes, Yes" because you were telling them what they needed to hear. Darell Hall, Principal, St. Thomas Moore Collegiate Burnaby, British Columbia You made the kids feel like you were part of them, and them part of you. They started asking questions immediately, which is really unusual for a speaker. Your message was loud and clear how all addictions begin with low self-esteem, and can progress innocently from junk foods, cigarettes, marijuana or alcohol, and finally to the harder stuff. They now know that what happened to you, really could happen to them. You've empowered them to make better choices.Your message is very appropriate and would be a particular blessing to middle school students because I believe the real choice begins when they are in grades 5 and 6. That is the age when they have their first real introductions to the drugs be it alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana. Barbara Papp, Manager Health Clinic Ridley College Private School You have an impactful, unbelievable story and you come across as being real. Your message is powerful for young people because you use real life examples of what can happen if kids don't get the help they need early enough. For those in the audience who may be going down that path, I think your message may compel them to act. Mark Cossarin, Principal Trillium Lakelands District School Board