James Dallin

Over the past 6–7 years of speaking in schools, I’ve received hundreds of letters from students—raw, honest, emotional.

They share their battles, their strength, and their hope. Some write about their own struggles with drugs and alcohol, others open up about what they’ve seen in their families or among friends.

Each time I sit down and read through them—sometimes 100, 150 at a time—I’m reminded of one unshakable truth:

Our youth today are warriors.

They’re fighting battles most people never see. They’re choosing light in a world that constantly pushes darkness. And they do it quietly, humbly, and often without recognition.

This post is for them—the unsung heroes. You matter. You are seen. You are stronger than you know.

I'm excited for this next semester.

I want to thank all the principals teachers and administrators for their consistent support and invitations back into your schools each semester.

I'm also looking forward to meeting some new schools and students over the next couple of months and appreciate the confidence they have placed in me to deliver such an important message to our youth .

While my schedule is completly full for October, I do have a handful of dates still available in November and December if your school is interested in scheduling something.

Contact me here on IG or through my website www.jamesdallin.com (link in bio) for more info and available dates.

See you all very soon! 💯🙏

It's important our youth u%nderstandq there could be consequences they may have never thought about if they choose to experiment with drugs and alcohol for the first time.

That first experience leaves a lasting imprint on the brain.

The person experimenting for the first time may be able to control their drinking or their drug use to an occasional party here and there, or maybe able to go a year, maybe two, without a single drink or hit of some drug.

Statistically speaking , at some point in our lives there will be some hard times that fall upon us in some form or another.ae@e

It is at this point that it becomes very dangerous for a person who has experimented with drugs and alcohol in the past.

I've heard many stories of a person thinking they can control drinking during a hard time in their life, only to find out that when they come down, the pain is still there, and they immediately use again in order to numb that pain away.

It is in this situation where many addicts are born.

One of my all-time favorite things I am fortunate enough to do is talk with students before or after my presentations.

Many of these students are going through extremely difficult times in their own lives due to drug use themselves, or with someone they love.

Some are going through other hard things such as bullying and self confidence issues.

Listening to these students and the trust they have confiding in me is a great honor.

Though I'm not a counselor or therapist and there is only so much I can talk about before I encourage a student to speak with a school teacher, counselor or one of the Many contacts I have prepared that they could contact by phone or text that stand ready to help.

The one thing I can always do is listen, find the good in the student, and compliment them in some way.

My goal is for every student that I speak in front of to know that I sincerely believe in them and their potential.

To watch a students whole deminor change right in front of you because of a simple compliment or a little encouragement is an incredible expirence.

There is so much power we hold by simply taking interest in someone and looking for the good in every person we encounter on a day to day basis.

This is a power that if sincerely used could prevent many from using drugs in the first place and many other problems happening in the world today.

Once in the active drug world you can become numb and unaware of the existence of time.

By focusing your time on nothing other than chasing a drug, none of the truly important moments in life can happen.

If you become addicted I can assure - you there will come a time where you will reflect on the possibilities, the activities and the memories you could have created with family, friends and others had you chosen not to pick up a drug in the first place.

We have One Life to Live, one body for this life, and we must take this body and make the most out of the time we have here on Earth.

To all the students remember "it is easier to stay off drugs, then to get off drugs") author unknown.

When you stay far away from drugs and alcohol, Statistically you will have much more time to enjoy life and live it to its fullest.

There is good news for all those in active addiction. Though it can be very difficult, the decision to stop using anyday and become more present and active in the lives of those who are most important to us, We can spend the time making memories with them instead of our drug dealers who wouldn't truk care if you disappeared tomorrow.