Pop powerhouse ‘N Sync is lending its support to two social efforts aimed squarely at the group’s primarily young audience – drugs and teen pregnancy. In an effort to steer fans away from drugs, the group and the Office of National Drug Council Policy (ONDCP) have created a public service announcement (PSA) to be shown before each concert on the group’s summer Pop Odyssey tour, which kicks off tonight (May 23) in Jacksonville, Fla.
The spot features the group’s members discussing their “anti-drugs,” the people and things in their lives that come between them and drugs. The PSA is also featured on the band’s official Web site.
“There probably isn’t any pop group today more relevant to our early teen audience than ‘N Sync,” ONDCP acting director Edward H. Jurith said in a statement. “We think having them as part of our youth anti-drug campaign team is really going to raise the volume on our message to kids. I congratulate them on their commitment to this effort.”
The boy band will also lend its support to the Candie’s Foundation. Newly established by the popular footwear company, the organization seeks to educate young people about the consequences of teen pregnancy.
The foundation will launch with the June 5 “Event to Prevent” at New York’s Roseland Ballroom, which will feature performances by ‘N Sync, Destiny’s Child, Macy Gray, 98 Degrees, and Eve. The fundraising affair will be hosted by actress Jenny McCarthy.
‘N Sync’s tour will run through an Aug. 24 gig in Jackson, Miss. The group is also scheduled to take part in the Sept. 7 tribute to Michael Jackson at New York’s Madison Square Garden. That event will also feature Whitney Houston, Marc Anthony, Britney Spears, Shaggy, Jill Scott, and the Jackson 5.