California is notorious for its relationship with illicit drugs. With Marijuana legalization being a huge controversy, and the Mexican Drug Cartels being in the backyard, drugs are pretty much inescapable. San Diegan and founder of The Natural High, Jon Sundt, is on a mission to change that. You may wonder how he plans to do that. Through tightening border control and lobbying for conservative legislation? No, the program seeks to eradicate drug use at the very heart of the problem. The users after all are the ones who create and maintain the market. Without them, the bad guys would go out of business. The Natural High wants to change the youth of today through education, and the use of celebrities to spread the message of a natural high over an artificial one.
Unlike many drug-free campaigns, “Natural High” is a positive look at saying no to drugs. Through constructive influences rather than horror stories, kids are encouraged to choose to live without using drugs. The curriculum encourages kids to find an activity that makes them feel good, without bringing anything harmful into their bodies. The series of DVDs are distributed to schools around the country in an attempt to get kids to make a pledge for a drug free life. The videos feature professional athletes, musicians and artists talking about the passions that keep them from getting high or drunk.
On October sixth, The Natural High will be hosting a gala, honoring award-winning surfer Bethany Hamilton at the Hilton Torrey Pines La Jolla. Tickets are $250 per person, unless you want to be treated like a VIP, in which case, it is $300. A table for ten can also be reserved for $2,500. If you are unable to attend the gala which is from 6-10 pm, the program also has a website where you can donate to help distribute the curriculum series to schools throughout the nation.
