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News Release

Contact: Tom Hagerty
(863) 667-7077

Local business group hosts anti-drug event at USF Lakeland

LAKELAND, FL (February 27, 2008) - “I believe drug abuse is an issue we all can stop,” former DEA agent Bob Stutman said yesterday at “Rx for Lakeland: A Prescription for Drug-Free Teens.” He spoke to about 600 people in two sessions at the University of South Florida Lakeland as part of a two-day Lakeland campaign hosted by a group of local business leaders. Organizers estimated his total Lakeland audience over the two days to be over 2,000 people.

Stutman’s remarks were designed to raise awareness of teen drug abuse in Polk County. He aimed to educate parents and other community members about the issue and encourage them to talk to kids about drugs. Early education about the dangers of drugs and their long-term, lingering effects can be beneficial, he said.

Among teens in recent years, Stutman has seen a shift in drug abuse from marijuana and cocaine to pharmaceutical drugs such as Xanax and Oxycontin, which are available legally with a doctor’s prescription.


Bob Stutman delivers an anti-drug message at USF Lakeland
Bob Stutman delivers an anti-drug message at USF Lakeland


“In all of my experience I have learned three absolute facts, which many Americans fail to understand,” said Stutman. “First, law enforcement will never make drugs completely unavailable in the United States. Second, most adults know almost nothing about the world of kids and drugs. And third, drugs are devastating our communities, homes and workplaces, and we fail to deal with this in a way that will make any substantial change.”

Stutman spent 25 years as a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. For six years he headed the DEA’s New York office, largest in the country. Dan Rather called him “a true American hero.”

Stutman provides a list of links to resources for parents and how they can talk to their children on his Web site at www.thestutmangroup.com.

Rx for Lakeland is sponsored by Clark, Campbell & Mawhinney, P.A, DSM Technology Consultants, Madden, Green Construction, Heacock Insurance Group, Bank of Central Florida, Griffin Pools, Pilgrim Associates, Radiology and Imaging Specialists, NuJak Development, Inc., Bunch & Associates, Inc., YoungBiz, Allen Investments, Kyra Infotech, Inc., Custom Drilling Services, Inc., Digitech, Sunshine Growers, Inc., Saddle Creek Corporation, Avon Leasing, NCT Group, CPS Investment Advisors and USF Lakeland. For more information visit www.rxforlakeland.com or contact Wayman Snuggs at (321) 217-6167.


 
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