"Rockin' for Choices" attracts thousands with anti-drug message

A lot of people associate music with drugs, and it doesn't have to be that way. That's what these four bands are here for.

—Floyd Wiebe, co-founder of TJ's Gift Foundation

3300 young people crammed into the MTS centre on March 21 to see their favourite music acts perform as part of Rockin' for Choices. Musicians included Flo, Fresh IE, The Treble, The Nonesuch and host Bubba B.

This was the second annual event designed to raise awareness of the risks of getting involved with drugs. The concert is put on by TJ's Gift Foundation. In 2003, T.J. Wiebe, who had been using drugs, was murdered. He was 20 years old. His parents started the foundation to help educate young people about drugs.

"We are here to give kids the ability to make an informed choice," says Floyd Wiebe, co-founder of the foundation." It wasn't hard to get musicians to participate in the event. "We have artists e-mailing us all the time saying 'We are a drug-free band,'" he says. "A lot of people associate music with drugs, and it doesn't have to be that way. That's what these four bands are here for."

R&B singer Flo was a willing participant. She was moved by the fact that the Wiebes turned their own personal tragedy into a mission to empower youths and teach them to educate themselves about drugs and make the right choices. "I truly believe that it's important to use your gift, your talent, what you love doing and just give back, and to have a purpose or meaning behind it," she enthuses.