A few weeks ago, Todd Blaquiere from
Fight The New Drug (FTND) was here in Virginia, and I had the pleasure of
helping host him. One of his functions within FTND is to tour schools around
the country and share his presentation that talks about the science behind porn
addiction. I had the opportunity to see the show, and it was amazing! The kids in attendance had a blast. Todd is a
talented individual, very entertaining, and knows how to engage his audience.
The material he uses includes music, audio-visual clips, a slideshow, and a
somewhat stand-up comedy feel. I was so impressed that I'm working with four other organizations to bring Todd back in October as
part of a tour for White Ribbon Against Pornography Week. If you can find a venue, I highly recommend him! All he requires is that the school/organization provides plane tickets and housing during his stay. 
So … Who is this guy, anyway? Under “Meet the Team” on the FTND
website, here’s Todd’s description: “Even though he’s got mad baller skills, is
obsessed with sports and could dunk when he was only 17, Todd chose NOT to join
the NBA and instead works here at FTND … Despite being in a punk band, being
featured in countless productions, living in Spain, producing a TV show, and
currently finishing his MBA, Todd claims that his greatest accomplishment is
marrying his beautiful wife with whom he has two kids and one more on the way.”
Todd is definitely a character, but
he isn’t just putting on a good show for “Fight.” He believes in the cause, and with good reason. The scientific evidence he presents his very compelling. Todd is among the fighters who have written blurbs for the FTND site titled
“Why I Fight,” and he shares his story with students as part of the show. Here's an excerpt:
“Growing
up in Southern California, I spent a lot of summer days at the beach. Bonfires,
surfing, football in the sand ... One particular day I caved to some
friends’ request to body surf (this is also known as fake surfing, or extreme
boredom). Anyway, we were wading in the water, playing a little splashy-splashy
with the chicas, when I decided that I needed a little more excitement. So I
ventured out further from the shore. The waves were a little bigger; the ocean
floor was a little further from the touch of my toes. Nice. Now the fun was
really going start. A wave began to swell and I was stoked. This was promising.
I turned around, poised to catch the wave, when over my shoulder I noticed that
this thing was growing fast. Before I could bail the monster wave picked me up
and crushed me. I’ve been thrown off waves before, I’ve taken a board to the
head a few times, but this was new. The force of the breaker slammed me against
the ocean floor. Completely disoriented, I spun head over heels in the surf.
The ocean owned me, I was out of control … You know, on TV this is the part
where the gorgeous blonde grabs my arm and pulls me back to shore ... Well, no
lifeguard for me. I kicked, swam, and fought. Every time I came up for air I
would get a glimpse of the shore. It seemed miles away. I honestly didn’t know
if I’d have the strength to make it. Before you get too frightened for me, I’m
safe. I didn’t die. After what seemed like an eternity, I dragged my exhausted
body onto the shore. If I had the energy I would have warned everyone on the
coast. There are people that, because they didn’t know the danger, are caught
in a rip current 24/7. They feel like they are out of control. They feel like
they can’t get free. They feel helpless. And for a little excitement, they are
now trapped. You know what though, pornography isn’t the ocean. It may be vast
because there is so much of it. It may be powerful because of its addictive
nature. It may even be alluring. But I’m a fighter and I’m taking the sucker
down. I am going to do what I couldn’t do that day; I am going to warn everyone
that I can ... And though I may become tired, I’ll take a breath and I’ll start
again. Because I am a fighter.” (For the full story, click here.)
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