'GET HIGH ON MUSIC, NOT DRUGS'

TURN On Music, Turn Off Drugs! That's the message from the new Rising
Star Quality Sound Studio in conjunction with the National Narcotics
Bureau.

Rising Star has joined a global campaign against the use of illicit
drugs, and owner and executive producer Wari Vele has urged all young
people throughout the Pacific to stop using drugs.

"Get out of drugs and get into music! You can get high on music
without drugs," Mr Vele said.

"Music will have the same effect as drugs without harming
you."

Mr Vele said Rising Star is trying to stop young people from turning
to drugs because drugs are not the answer."

The message "Turn On Music, Turn Off Drugs" will be seen with the
National Narcotics logo on all the latest Rising Star released album
covers.

Mr Vele believes the way to go about stopping people using harmful and
illegal substances is through awareness and education rather than the
law and police.

"We can't fight it. The police are trying but cannot because they do
not have adequate resources. The only way is through awareness," he
said.

"We (Rising Star) want to take the frontline with our label and music.
Because young people love music it is a very effective way to end the
drug problem.

"We are happy to be taking part in this international campaign against
drugs and we are doing it with an open heart."

He said the strip on the cassettes and the musical concert yesterday
were promotions at the cost of the studio.

"We don't want to look at the money issue, we want to help the young
people of this country and the Pacific region," he said.

The studio is not just campaigning with words and music, it is also
dedicated to fighting the drug problem through its operations.

According to Mr Vele's Assistant, Lawrence Pukali, one major reason
for having the studio was to help young unemployed people on the
streets. The studio's name itself is testament to that.

Rising Star is dedicated towards developing up-and-coming musical
talents so that they can help themselves.

"Music is good, it can provide you employment, some form of income
from cassette sales or performances in clubs and opportunities to
travel and meet famous people," said one of the young artists
presently being moulded by the studio.

The bottom line is music can provide that opportunity to these
unfortunate people to make something of their life, rather than
wandering the streets hopelessly and eventually turning to drugs and
crimes.

"We are tightening on employment contracts. Artists have to be clean
to record with the company," Mr Pukali said.