Dynamic Alcohol and Drug Awareness Speech for College Students by a former member of some top name bands, including Sly and the Family Stone and The Tokens, the band famous for the hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", who abused alcohol and drugs for 18 years (ending 25 years ago) and has important information and experiences to share.
The Problem:Do you know how college students sometimes ruin their college career, health, finances, relationships and even die from overdoses or alcohol/drug related accidents? For example, alcohol is involved in 50% of all driving fatalities. Also, a University of Georgia study reported that of those individuals who experienced unwanted sexual intercourse in the last year, 92.1% had been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Besides the emotional trauma that can occur from these kinds of encounters, other bad outcomes could be: unwanted pregnancies, broken hearts and sexual diseases. And USA Today reported that shockingly, 1/2 of everyone under 25 years old in the United States has had a sexually transmitted disease.
The Solution:Dennis Marcellino's "Better Than Alcohol and Drugs" speech shows students how to not be vulnerable to falling into the tragedies that often come from abusing alcohol and drugs.
How does he do that? Dennis' speech includes "sobering" facts on the real dangers associated with abusing alcohol and drugs. But he realizes that people are often driven more by feelings than logic.
(Dennis describes how his speech fits in with campus life:) "The purpose of my speech is to help students evaluate the overall picture of what role alcohol plays in their lives. It helps create a strong heart and mind agreement with the policy standards that a college has already set. The idea is to come upon the highest possible standard whereby students can be the happiest and most productive, given all of the other pressures in their lives (moving into adulthood, moving out of childhood/teenage, deciding on a profession, deciding on a mate, how to deal with peer pressure, how to choose friends and activities, finding out who they really are, deciding on their beliefs and personal philosophy of life, etc.). In terms of alcohol and drugs, I've lived on all sides of this issue, from casual drinking and drug use to heavy drinking and drug use to no drinking or drug use. So I point out all sides of those approaches and their ramifications ... the good, the bad and the dangerous. It all comes down to each person feeling free to flow with who they really are, without giving in to pressures from others that go against who they are and the health of their being. (A line from a song says this well: "Wonderful is what you'll feel in you when you do the things you're made to do")."
Dennis includes personal stories of the long-lasting suffering that can come from a momentary impulse to give in to a drug or alcohol experiment while looking for a fun experience. Dennis' speech is based on unique insights that come from combining his education and backgrounds in psychology and engineering. He also has personally experienced an alcohol and drug problem. But he permanenty conquered that 25 years ago (after 18 years of abuse). Dennis is the author of three books on addiction and has been on many TV and radio interviews. As a former member of top name bands, he can also include a live musical performance, which always gets a great response from the audience.
More about Dennis and his presentation:
• Dennis shares insights from his engineering background about how there are non-negotiable laws of how our minds, emotions and bodies are designed to function. And being in harmony with those designs yields inner strength, peace and an inspired life (as opposed to weakness, confusion, inner pain or boredom).
• Dennis recognizes why people often use alcohol and drugs, especially as young adults as they join new groups and experiment with new ways to try to find out who they really are and how they will be as adults. He says this search can end successfully when they become in harmony with how they were specifically designed to function. But it can also take tragic and damaging turns.
• So now he tries to spare people needless and sometimes dangerous experiments by showing them shortcuts on how to know and be who they really are. This is important because, just like a musical instrument doesn’t make good music until it is in tune, our minds, emotions and bodies don’t yield good experiences until they are in tune with how they are designed to function.
• The solution ultimately lies in a person realizing how living in harmony with the natural design of their being, brings inner peace, happiness and strength (whereas going against it leads to weakness, inner pain and bad feelings, which are things that people usually try to run from with alcohol and drugs). Understanding and cooperating with our natural design is critical to our happiness and therefore something that a person will freely choose to do (because we all ultimately want happiness).
• Dennis’ slogan is: “You can’t expect that someone will say no to abusing alcohol and drugs until they have something better to say yes to.” His presentation includes an exercise whereby each person can discover his or her own custom-designed-by-nature “better yes”.
• Dennis is a speaker and media personality with an entertaining, informative style that keeps the listener on the edge of their seat. This is verified by the reviews and quotes and recommendations from event planners listed on this page.
• Students will also hear dramatic stories of first-hand experiences demonstrating why they would want to avoid abusing drugs. Experience is not the best teacher, but rather learning from the experiences of others is the best teacher (as it saves you the pain).
• Dennis can also include performing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", a song that he has performed professionally many times as a former member of The Tokens who had this hit. This always gets a great crowd response.
Dennis' Short Video Demo: Click right arrow to play video
To schedule Dennis to speak to your group, fill out the form at the bottom of this page, call Dennis at 503-650-8840 or
"I found your presentations exactly what I had hoped for. I am always delighted with working with 'artists'. You guys see reality from a wonderfully different vantage point. I am always refreshed and enriched by such things as you presented. There was so much content that it would have made a nice two-credit course in the catalogue." Ed Windhaus, Event Coordinator, Swarthmore College
"Dennis Marcellino is a superb presenter! I would highly recommend Dennis to those desiring a stimulating and entertaining program." Dr. Keith H. Swenson, Event Coordinator and Professor of Biology, Multnomah University
"Dennis Marcellino wowed his audience with some wonderful music, but even more importantly bowled them over with his scientific discoveries." Terry Hughes, Event Coordinator
"Dennis Marcellino is a man of many talents and interests. His hour-long program was well-received by the audience. He deeply cares about the negative experiences people are going through in our world today, and his mission is to show that these sufferings are unnecessary and that a great solution exists." Bill Bennett, (review in) The Capitol Voice"
Click here to see Dennis' Media Kit for his book, "Addiction Free Forever",
including Book Reviews,
Radio and TV Interviews,
Bio, Videos, Publicity Photos etc.
Click here to see 10 Reasons Event Coordinators and Audiences like Dennis' Presentations...
To download a 4-page brochure to print out and show others click here
Dennis can include his performance of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" as an added draw. He is a former member of the band who had that hit.
Other College Speeches:
How College Students Can Improve Their Confidence, Self-Esteem and Performance Many college students struggle with shyness or being overly intimidated by others in some area of their lives including personal relationships, college classes and business. This speech gives students insights and tips on overcoming shyness, being assertive but not aggressive, having appropriate boundaries, performing and public speaking. As a professional musician Dennis started out as a very shy person on stage and off, always afraid to be and reveal his true self and feelings. He's conquered these fears and insecurities into having a successful career as a musician and speaker. He's performed on the biggest stages, been a guest on many TV and radio shows, and even performed in front of 350,000 people at Cal Jam II in Southern California while a member of his own band, Rubicon. In this speech he passes on how that transition can be made and how a person can feel confident on stage and in life with others.
A “Major” Decision: Choosing the Right Major for You (A great speech for orientations.) Picking a major in college is a more crucial decision than most realize. So many come out of college having spent many years and a lot of money (or are deeply in debt) just to discover that they really aren’t inspired to work in the field they chose. This speech takes an indepth look at the dilemma of picking a major and gives some techniques that will tell the student what the best major is for them to pick ... one that was not only chosen by their mind, but that their heart will also support.
College Event Speaking Request Form: Fill out the information below and press the "send your request" button to send.
Dennis is the author of Addiction Free Forever (book and workbook) and Sweeping It Under The Drug.
Reviews for Dennis's Books and Materials on Addiction:
"Clearly, you have won your war against drugs as you have been drug free for years. Your success in overcoming addiction is to be commended. It is our wish that every person stricken with an addiction to drugs can overcome it with the success you have had. It is our hope that every other person can understand the devastation that occurs through addiction and makes it a personal goal to stay clear of drugs. It is the dedication of people like you that give all of us hope for the future.” G. Albert Howenstein, Jr., Exec. Dir., Office Of Criminal Justice Planning, California Governor's office
"This book 'iced' my cousin, who was heavily into drugs. He took the book's
advice and now he's off of drugs and happy. I'd like to order 10 more copies." Constance Elliot, U.S. Dept. of Health, Washington D.C.
"...frank and friendly...sincere and optimistic...not only concerned with ridding
people's lives of drugs, but also with leading them to a higher state of being and
greater fulfillment as individuals...a sympathetic voice which will affect readers
for the better...This book is personal rather than systematically therapeutic or a
'pop' treatment of a current social concern...touches upon the important factors
of human life---the self, relationships, mates, and others." Corinne Perry Buck, The Small Press Book Review ('feature' review)
"I highly recommend the reading of this book as an understanding guide for all of the 12 step recovery programs. It gave me greater insight into my need for continuous spiritual development in order to maintain quality sobriety and peace of mind." Gloria Montgomery, Chairperson of ALL/ANON GROUP. Founder of RECOVERY SYSTEMS. Founded many alcohol & chemical dependency rehab centers & hospital clinics in U.S. & Canada. CEDARS SINAI Alcoholism Counselor. 29 years clean & sober. Personal counselor to Shelley Winters, highly mentioned in her book.
"This book is absolutely --WONDERFUL! I could not put it down until I had read all of it. It is one of the most fascinating books I have read in years." Robert Tyre, Editor, Eclectic Press, Atlanta, Georgia
"Very powerful material. An amazing piece of work by an amazing man." Scott Fagan, Head of the recovery unit at Brotman Hospital (one of Los Angeles' largest).. Founder and Chairman of BIZRAP (entertainment industry Recovery Assistance Program). UCLA graduate (Drug Rehabilitation Clinic Design), Active leader in AA and CA (Cocaine Anon.)
"I wanted to write and thank you for your book. I work in the prison library so as soon as I finished reading your book I placed it in the library. It has been very popular with the inmates. It is really a good book on substance abuse." Benjamin, Seagoville, Texas
"I read your book and was very inspired to clean up my act. I'd like to order another copy for myself and one to pass on." Theresa, Escondido, CA
"Just finished reading your book and wanted you to know how much it helped me. Thank you. May God bless you greatly." Mary A.
"A carefully reasoned argument against drug use that goes further than telling people to "just say no"--it offers real help for people who want to break free of the bondage of drugs. The book gives vivid insight into the realities of the drug culture that most of us never see." Dr. John MacArthur Jr., popular author and radio minister, and
Pastor, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA
To inquire about booking Dennis to speak to your group, fill out the form at the bottom of this page or call Dennis at 503-650-8840 or
To download a
4-page brochure to show others click here
Dennis is a past member of some top name bands including Sly and the Family Stone, The Elvin Bishop Group and The Tokens, famous for "The Lion Sleep Tonight".
Dennis can include his performance of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" as an added draw. He is a former member of the band who had that hit. Click here to see other music options and his music history.
Dennis in 1978
"This book not only includes what the 12 step program has to offer, but it takes up where the 12 step program leaves off. It has been a great help to me." Mike Pinera, former lead singer, guitarist and writer for "Blues Image",
"Iron Butterfly" & "Alice Cooper", also very active in AA and CA
"I was severely addicted to alcohol and cocaine. I'd tried everything I could find, including AA and Narc-Anon. But it wasn't until I followed the Addiction Free Forever program that I finally experienced an inner strength that allowed me to conquer my addiction problem." Quote from a pilot for a major airline who flunked his drug test
