December 10th 2011
SYTOP Drug Free Club honours Drug Free Advocates

The Saint Lucia Youth Talent on Parade (SYTOP) Drug Free Club OF The Year 2010 honours fourteen dynamic drug Free Advocates who vied for the prestigious title of Mr and Ms Drug FREE 2011. Capturing the theme “Youth Empowerment –Be Positively Drug Free” Miss Morissa Ferdinand representing Central Castries sponsored by Hon. Richard Frederick and Mr. Robert George representing the community of Ciceron sponsored by SAADF and Carnival Sailing emerged Mr. and Ms Drug Free 2011. The Award Ceremony will be held at the Royal St. Lucian Hotel on Saturday 4th February, 2012.

The 2011 pageant sought to achieve the following objectives, foster greater collaboration in eradicating substance abuse among community and drug free groups island wide, promote a greater awareness of the benefits of Healthy Drug Free Lifestyles among the youth and raise much needed funds for SYTOP’s Drug Free and Sporting Programmes.

Determined to overcome the many obstacles that confront the survival of drug free clubs - SYTOP DRUG FREE CLUB under the stewardship of Mrs. Juliette Jn. Baptiste exhibited sheer determination, perseverance and a sense of self-will in staging the 2nd Mr. and Ms. Drug Free Expose.’ In a society where substance abuse seem to be the order of the day, these young persons representing the communities of GrosIslet, Babonneau, Grand Riviere, Castries, Bexon, La Croix, Ciceron, and Pavee demonstrated the empowerment of young persons through a lifestyle that is not polluted by the abuse of drugs of any sort be it tobacco, alcohol, prescriptive, non prescriptive and harder drugs. It was a positive activity that many young persons missed and the club praises all the contestants and participants for their interest in nation building through their advocacy.

The Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat (SAACS) supports this initiative and is looking forward to the participation of schools, drug free clubs, community groups and parents in the 2012 Expose’.

Not only do the club members add their voice to substance abuse in society; members are achieving excellence in their academic pursuits as some members continue to graduate from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and their secondary schools. SYTOP therefore presents young persons who dare to make a difference.

The Executive of the Club is thankful to all sponsors who displayed a keen interest in supporting the cause. Particular mention must be made of past ministers Hon. Leonard Montoute and Hon Ezekiel Joseph who supported the venture from its inception; Hon Guy Mayers, Hon. Richard Frederick and Hon. Stevenson King constituency office, Special thanks to S.A.A.C.S, S.S.D.F, Carnival Sailing St.Lucia Lottery, The Lime Restaurant and Bar Ice Factory Marisule and the Media especially the Voice Publishing Company. SYTOP DRUG FREE CLUB looks forward to greater support from cooperate sponsors for the 2012 Expose ‘which will be launched during the Award Ceremony.

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