Drug Free America Foundation

The Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization focused on drug prevention and policy that is committed to developing, promoting, and sustaining national and international policies and laws that will reduce illegal drug use and drug addiction. It was founded by Betty Sembler and Mel Sembler, chairman of the Scooter Libby Legal Defense Trust. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, former Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Karen Tandy, and Congressman Dan Lungren of California are on the advisory board.[2]

Drug Free America Foundation, Inc.
FormationApril 22, 1976 (1976-04-22)
FounderMel Sembler, Betty Sembler
59-1662427
Registration no.735636
Location
Executive Director
Calvina Fay
Subsidiaries
  • Save Our Society From Drugs
  • dba International Task Force on Strategic Drug Policy
Websitedfaf.org
Formerly called
The Straight Foundation, Inc.[1]

The foundation's vision is that nations, through their leaders and their people, create an environment where citizens live lives free of illicit drugs. It opposes the decriminalization and the legalization of cannabis and other drugs.

History and origins

Drug Free America Foundation was founded in 1995 by former U.S. Ambassador Mel Sembler and his wife, Betty. It was previously known as Straight, Incorporated,[3] a controversial[4] drug rehabilitation program accused of abusing its patients,[5][6] and faced multiple lawsuits.[7][8] DFAF does not currently run drug rehabilitation programs. The organization's programs and messages are guided by a voluntary advisory board of physicians, researchers, attorneys, businessmen, and other community leaders.

Notable activism

DFAF is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nation. It accomplishes its mission through various divisions which include:

The Institute on Global Drug Policy – an alliance of physicians, scientists, attorneys and drug specialists advocating public policies that curtail the use of illicit and misuse of licit drugs and alcohol.

The International Scientific and Medical Forum on Drug Abuse – a brain trust of select researchers involved in drug-related research and physicians concerned about drug abuse. This group helps provide no-tolerance perspectives related to current drug issues in the media.

The International Task Force on Strategic Drug Policy – a network of professionals and community leaders who support and promote drug demand reduction principles, develop community coalitions and strive to advance communication and cooperation among non-governmental organizations who are working to stem illicit drugs and promote sound drug policy around the world.

The Drug Prevention Network of the Americas (DPNA) – a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from North, Central and South America dedicated to the promotion of effective demand reduction programs and policies in the Americas through the exchange of information and the development of alliances among NGOs working toward the same goals.

National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance (NDWA) – a national network dedicated to the prevention of substance abuse in the workplace. NDWA has a two-fold mission—to directly assist small businesses in the state of Florida in establishing comprehensive drug-free workplace programs and to support a national coalition of drug-free workplace service providers.

Notable accomplishments include, but are not limited to:

  • Launching national drug awareness campaign such as “It’s All About Children” and “True Compassion”
  • Receiving Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
  • Participating in the United Nations General Assembly's Special Session (UNGASS) in Vienna, Austria every year since 19- NEEDS DATE
  • Producing and airing powerful educational public service announcements that have received multiple Telly and Addy awards and ranked in the top ten Neilson Ratings
  • Launching the Institute on Global Drug Policy and the International Scientific and Medical Forum on Drug Abuse.
  • Organizing and hosting hundreds of regional, national, and international conferences
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See also

References
  1. DRUG FREE AMERICA FOUNDATION, INC., Florida Department of State. Accessed October 10, 2016.
  2. See this page Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine and this Archived 2011-07-26 at the Wayback Machine on DFAF site for Advisory Board membership.
  3. "Sunbiz.org Division of Corporations". Sunbiz. Florida Department of State. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  4. Horton, Scott (February 10, 2010). "Seeding Torture". Harper's Magazine Browsings. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  5. Zibart, Eve (January 2, 1983). "Controversy Over Drug Program Extends to Springfield" (PDF). The Washington Post. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 17, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  6. MacPherson, Myra (October 16, 1986). "The Many Sides of Straight - Hard Edged Drug Therapy: A Triumph or a Torture?" (PDF). The Washington Post. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 17, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  7. "Jury Awards $220,000 to Forced Drug Therapy Victim". The Gainesville Sun. May 27, 1983. Retrieved December 27, 2016 – via Google News.
  8. Journey, Mark (November 10, 1990). "Straight client wins $ 721,000 suit" (PDF). St. Petersburg Times. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 15, 2018.
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