Combining sports with personal conviction, Italian bikers promote an active, drug-free lifestyle.

At dawn on a Saturday morning in October in the city of Lecco in the north of Italy, a dozen bikers took off on a 1000-km ride to promote the message “I say NO to drugs.” Organized by the Bergamo chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World and the Motoclub Revolution of Valmadrera, the grueling nonstop rally arrived the following day in the south of the country.

Bikers from the Motoclub Revolution of Valmadrera drove 1000-km nonstop by motorbike to promote the “I Say No to Drugs“ initiative of Italy’s Foundation for a Drug-Free World.

 

A dozen riders took part in this tour de force. Their destination: The city of Martina Franca, in Puglia, the southern region forming the heel of Italy’s “boot.” They were welcomed by the Martina Franca Councilor for General Affairs and Security Policies, who signed a partnership with the motorbike club and the “I Say No to Drugs” group of Italy to combat drug use and promote sports and cultural activities for young people. 

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and World Health Organization’s International Standards on Drug Prevention, “for every dollar spent on prevention, at least ten can be saved in future health, social and crime costs.”

Foundation for a Drug-Free World has developed a full curriculum for use in drug education. This includes free courses that are available on their website in 20 languages. The “I Say No to Drug” group was formed by members of the Church of Scientology Mission of Barletta and Foundation for a Drug-Free World.