Drug-Free Marshals Toronto

20TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL COMING NOVEMBER 30, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:06:00 +0000

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:07:00 +0000

26 JUNE 2008 - In honour of the United Nations' International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Drug Free Marshals held a special event at Markham City Hall. Speakers at the event included Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Derek Lee MP Scarborough – Rouge River,
Alan Tonks MP York South – Weston, Hon. Michael Chan MPP Markham – Unionville, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Acting Deputy Police Chief Christopher Barratt, representing York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge, Dr. Ken Ng, Federation of Chinese Canadians in York Region, Dr. Kathleen J. Kerr, Vaughan City Councillor Sandra Yeung-Rocco. Our own DFM Madison Whitmore also gave an inspirational speech about what it means to be a Drug Free Marshal.

During the event, Mayor Scarpittti presented the Drug Free Marshals with a Proclaimation saying that June 26th, 2008 was officially "International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illiciti Trafficking".

It was an incredible day and we look forward to doing it again next year!

PLUS! Our friends in the Foundation for a Drug Free World in Quebec and Montreal also had special events to commemorate this special UN Day!

FOUNDATION FOR A DRUG FREE WORLD IN QUEBEC!

FOUNDATION FOR A DRUG FREE WORLD IN MONTREAL!

DFMs AT THE ST. JAMESTOWN FESTIVAL!

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:39:00 +0000

14 JUNE 2008 - The Toronto Drug Free Marshals swore in 180 new DFMs on June 14th as part of the annual St. Jamestown Festival! They were also part of the parade and had a great time all around! Here's some pictures:

THE DRUG FREE MARSHALS SUPPORT THE MARCUS GARVEY CENTER

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:12:00 +0000

May 18, 2008 The Drug Free Marshals were proud to participate in a fundraising brunch for the Marcus Garvey Center for Leadership and Education. During the fundraiser, which was raising funds to help the Marcus Garvey Center continue their youth mentoring and education projects, the Drug Free Marshals continued their famous education campaign by giving out their "Truth About Drugs" booklets and pledging in more youth to be drug free. A great time was had by all and the Drug Free Marshals look forward to working with the Marcus Garvey Center for many years to come.

To Find out more about the Drug Free Marshals pledge to be drug free, call 416-925-1779 and to find out about the "Truth About Drugs" booklets or to get your free copy, go to http://www.drugfreeworld.org/.

DFMS AND TORONTO'S FINEST

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:54:00 +0000

MAY 12, 2008 Toronto Police Service 52 Division Station, Toronto.

The Drug-Free Marshals continued their celebration of Police Week with the 52 Division Toronto Police Service at a community event held at the 52 Division Station, sponsored by the members of the Community Police Liaison Committee for 52 Division.

This is the 6th consecutive year that they have participated in this event. The theme of the event was “Working With Today's Youth To Build Safer Communities”. The Coppertones Police Band started off the entertainment. They were joined by celebrities Rhona Shekter and Jeremiah Sparks who also performed for the attendees. Members of Toronto Artists for a Better World stage managed and performed at the event. The choir from Lord Lansdowne Public School also performed. In his opening remarks to the crowd, 52 Division Superintendent Hugh Ferguson thanked the Drug-Free Marshals for their participation in improving the community and thanked them for their attendence at the event.

Community Police Liaison Committee Co-Chairman Liz Sauter gave a warm tribute to the Drug-Free Marshals, praising their contributions to making a safer community and helping children to lead drug-free lives. She presented a plaque of appreciation from the 52 Division Community Police Liaison Committee to Drug-Free Marshals Leaders Leah Whitmore and Shirley Hall on the stage.

12-year old Drug-Free Marshal Madison Whitmore lead the pledge to be drug-free with 200 members of the community. All of the other Drug-Free Marshals were on the stage reaffirming their pledge, along with 12 police officers from 52 Division. There were 400 copies of "The Truth About Drugs" booklets given out to the community members attending. It was a memorable Police Week event celebration of the partnership between the community and the Toronto Police Service.

TORONTO DFMS AT THE SAFETY VILLAGE

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:15:00 +0000

MAY 10, 2008 Community Safety Village of York Region, Stouffville.

The Drug-Free Marshals participated in an Open House event sponsored by the York Regional Police at the Community Safety Village of York Region at Bruce's Mill in Stouffville, to celebrate the province-wide Police Week.

This is the 6th consecutive year that they have participated in this event. The theme of the event was "Safer Communities for a Stronger Ontario". There were 80 new Drug-Free Marshals sworn in at the event and 213 copies of "The Truth About Drugs" booklets were handed out.

The event attendees rode the kid-sized cars at the Safety Village, and saw many other police exhibits and displays by the Helicopter, Marine, Canine, Emergency Response and Traffic Units.

The Drug-Free Marshals had a chance to meet Chief Armand La Barge, York Regional Police Chief and the Mayor of Markham, his Worship Frank Scarpetti. Both of them praised the Drug-Free Marshals for their work in getting other kids to take the pledge to be drug-free.

Many other police officers, members of the community and parents told the Drug-Free Marshals that they were doing a great job and thanked them for attending the Police Week Celebration.

DRUG FREE MARSHALS HELP PLANT 10,000 TREES

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:54:00 +0000

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 , 2008:

This morning the Drug Free Marshals arrived in Markham, Ontario at the Donald Cousens Parkway to help plant 10,000 trees for the Rouge Valley. The event started off with close to 1,000 people and by 11:00am all the trees were planted. Everyone at the site was hard working and happy to be involved in such an initiative. The Drug Free Marshals met with York Regional Police Chief Armand LaBarge and told him they were very pleased to participate in this program.

The 10,000 trees program is a volunteer group dedicated to restoring natural habitat within the Rouge River watershed. This was their 19th annual tree planting.

DFMs CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACISM

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:03:00 +0000

MARKHAM,ONATARIO: Over the past five years, York Regional Police have commemorated the March 21st International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. These events have provided unprecedented opportunities for community partners to join with York Regional Police in celebration of diversity and collectively re-affirm their commitment to the eradication of racial discrimination and hatred.

Joining in the celebrations again this year, were the Toronto Drug Free Marshals, who continued to spread the word to live a drug free life - by giving out "Truth About Drugs" booklets and pledging in 86 new Marshals!

A great time was had by all and over 200 people were educated about the truth about drugs!

For more information about the Drug-Free Marshals educational booklets, visit

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/

To find out more about the Toronto Drug Free Marshals, call 416-925-1779

DRUG FREE WORLD ADS WIN ADVERTISING AWARD

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:10:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES: 26 Mar 2008 —Four drug education ads from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World have won the bronze 2008 ADDY Los Angeles competition for excellence in creativity and execution. The powerful public service announcements show teens led into tragedy.
The public service ad campaign was directed by Gary Ravenscroft, who also co-wrote them with writer Christopher Smith.

Called the "They Said/They Lied" series, the dramatic and fast-paced ads present teens of various backgrounds stating what they were told that turned them on to drugs, followed by real-life episodes of the drug's impact on the teen's life and family.

"These ads talk and debunk myths about drugs young people hear on the streets," said Ravenscroft. "They cause people to think and question the information they have about drugs and realize they might be misinformed."

Founded in 2006, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World provides free youth-friendly drug education material to empower young people with straightforward facts gleaned from official surveys and studies. The Drug-Free Marshals of Toronto use these materials in their successful youth education and awareness campaign.

The Truth About Drugs series includes pocket-sized booklets, also available online, on crystal meth, marijuana, Ecstasy, crack, cocaine, and LSD, as well as addictive prescription stimulants and painkillers. New booklets on alcohol abuse and inhalants are also currently being developed.

The ADDY competition is conducted by the American Advertising Federation. It is known as the largest and toughest competition of its kind in the world with over 60,000 entries annually.
The Foundation for a Drug-Free World was established to meet the growing demand for the "Say No to Drugs Say Yes to Life" program, which has been conducted for more than 20 years by members of Scientology churches in collaboration with the interfaith community, volunteer organizations, educational institutions and government agencies.

To see the award winning PSAs or learn more about the Foundation, visit http://www.drugfreeworld.org/.

OVER 4,500 NEW DRUG FREE MARSHALS

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:16:00 +0000

TORONTO. Over the past year, the Toronto Drug Free Marshals have signed up 4,621 new people as Drug-Free Marshals. That means each of those have taken the pledge to be drug free and to help their family and friends do the same.

During the same time period, the Toronto DFMs handed out 15,738 "Truth About Drugs" booklets, further educating our youth on the truth about what drugs really do to you and making them able to make a truly informed decision about drugs.

For more information about on how you can find out the truth about drugs, and view 30-second Public Service Announcements, go to http://www.drugfreeworld.org/.

19th Annual Drug-Free Marshals Christmas Festival Held at Toronto City Hall

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:38:00 +0000

Toronto, 25 November 2007: The Church of Scientology of Toronto's Drug-Free Marshals held their 19th Annual "Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life" Christmas Festival at Nathan Phillips Square. Cassondra Paletta, Miss Teen Canada International 2008, was the special guest and gave an inspirational speech on the impact of drug addiction on families.

Also joining the festivities was Toronto City Councillor Michael Thompson and Superintendent Hugh Ferguson of 52 Division of the Metro Toronto Police Services. Those who attended enjoyed live music, crafts, Santa Claus and entertainment for children.

The highlight of the afternoon was the swearing in as Drug-Free Marshals of all the children and adults in attendance including Miss Teen Canada, Superintendent Ferguson and Mr. Thompson.

"It is very important that young people learn about the harmful effects of drugs before they come in contact with them. Our Drug-Free Christmas festival has been a wonderful way for kids to have fun and also find out about the dangers of drugs for almost two decades," stated Melanie Dickson-Smith, Coordinator of the Toronto Drug-Free Marshals program.

Latest News from the Drug-Free Marshals

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 05:52:00 +0000

On September 17th, DFM volunteers delivered a drug education lecture to young people in York Region in association with the Red Cross and the Social Services Network.

The Drug-Free Marshals for the fourth year participated in the annual Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Children's Festival on September 23rd in downtown Toronto. 375 “Truth About Drugs" booklets were distributed and over 45 children were sworn in as Drug-Free Marshals.

Shirley Hall of the Drug-Free Marshals received the City of Toronto "Clean and Beautiful City" Appreciation Award from City Councillor Kyle Rae on September 26th. The presentation took place at Toronto City Hall with Mayor David Miller in attendance. Shirley was chosen for the award by the Bloor Corridor Community Association for her exemplary work for the Alexander Street Community Garden.

Welcome to the New Drug-Free Marshals of Toronto Website!

noreply@blogger.com (public affairs) — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 19:35:00 +0000

Hello! The Drug-Free Marshals of Toronto welcome you to this new website to help children and young people get the facts about drugs and how they affect them and their bodies. We have all sorts of information about marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, alcohol, crystal meth and kiddie cocaine or Ritalin. Informed young people can make better choices for themselves when they have the facts about how drugs can affect them.

Since 1994, the DFM in Toronto have reached out to tens of thousands of young people, helping them to make better decisions about the abuse of drugs. Thousands have signed the DFM pledge, promising to themselves and their parents that they would lead a drug-free life and take responsibility also to help others be drug-free.

We will keep you updated on the latest Drug-Free Marshals' activities and how you can join in. Please contact us with any questions. I would love to hear from you.

Melanie Dickson
Drug-Free Marshals Coordinator Toronto