Montecristi. – The National Drug Council (CND), in collaboration with the “Boomstick23” Foundation, led by former Major League player Nelson Cruz, has implemented the preventive program “Healthy School Environments” in Las Matas de Santa Cruz.
This initiative was carried out as part of the Santísima Cruz 2025 Patron Saint Festival Cultural Week.
Impact on the community
For five consecutive days, more than 1,500 people participated in educational, recreational, and cultural activities. These activities were aimed at students, sports coaches, community leaders, fathers, mothers, and guardians.
Preventive approach
The program focused on the prevention of vaping and psychoactive substance use. The crucial role of the family and school environment as protective factors was emphasized.
The Directorate of Drug Prevention Strategies and Health Promotion of the CND coordinated the activities, with the support of experts from various departments of the institution.
- Prevention in Sports
- Prevention in the Workplace
- Comprehensive Educational Prevention
- Community Prevention
Actividades realizadas
The program included talks in educational centers, recreational activities, sports meetings, and discussions with the community. These activities strengthened the connection between the educational community and the CND’s prevention strategies.
Nelson Cruz Commitment
Nelson Cruz was present at several activities, reaffirming his commitment to the youth of his municipality. He encouraged collaboration between the community, family, and government institutions to build a healthier society.
I thank, on behalf of my family, my foundation, and the people of Las Matas de Santa Cruz, the National Drug Council and its president, Alejandro de Jesús Abreu, for having heeded the call we made as a community to bring this prevention program to our youth and the entire population.
Nelson Cruz
Cruz also thanked the support of the CND and highlighted the importance of bringing these types of initiatives to vulnerable communities.
The intervention was integrated into the program of the patron saint festivities, coordinated by the Municipal Council of Las Matas de Santa Cruz, under the direction of Mayor Virgilio Cruz Estévez. This allowed for the articulation of a joint message of health, culture, and spirituality, with broad citizen participation.
The activities took place in various spaces of the municipality, including: the Las Matas de Santa Cruz Secondary School, the Centro Poblado Primary School, the Nelson Ramón Cruz Sports Center, the Sports Center of the Municipal Sports Directorate of Guayubín, the Santa Cruz Catholic Church, and the Municipal Council of Las Matas de Santa Cruz.
