Blink-182 drummer encourages teens to choose music over drugs

By Staff Writer

A world-famous rock drummer is hoping that musical instruments help keep troubled teens off drugs.

According to Tonic.com, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker is donating musical instruments to schools across the U.S. in an effort to spread an anti-drug message. He hopes that kids will be inspired to play music instead of using mind-altering substances. He launched the giveaway earlier this week by donating drum kits to a high school in New York.

Barker has teamed up with One Life One Chance, which is an anti-drug and alcohol group designed to help teens. The group is led by Toby Morse, who is the frontman of the band H2O and is self-proclaimed straight edge, which means he chooses not to drink alcohol or take drugs.

Barker said that the campaign will clear up a misconception among young people that all rock stars are drug addicts who engage in self-destructive behavior. According to the news provider, he believes that teens can relate to musicians more than other anti-drug speakers because of many rock stars have more in common with troubled teens.

Creative and expressive activities - such as music - are offered by some alternative summer camps, which are designed to give children the tools they need to live healthy lives.