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UPTEAMING
UP TO TACKLE DRUG FREE COLLIER’S CORE SOCIETY STUDENTS ESTEFANY ROJAS, ALBERTO DE LEON, HANNAH VOGT, AND
LITZY LOPEZ TEAM UP WITH IKE ALAMA-FRANCIS, DRUG FREE COLLIER’S NEW COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
He’s hitting it hard. “My prevention message is about
A t 6’5”, 255 pounds, Ikaika Alama- the choices you have to make,” he said. “You have to have
Francis cuts an imposing figure. But knowledge about what those choices mean. I can talk from
he instantly puts everyone at ease, experience. It’s like giving them a heads up. Our coach used
with his wide smile, a handshake and to say it’s a lot easier to know what the play is if you get a
his trademark “Aloha!” You are in the company heads up.”
of a confident, charismatic, compassionate man
- one who’s transformed his life off the football Ike towers over most people and it’s hard to believe the
field. His first name – Ikaika – means “strong self-described nerdy little kid has become such a powerful
warrior.” And today Ike, as he’s known to all, is figure.“My shoulder pads were bigger than I was,”he laughed.
living up to that by devoting his passion and He had surgery on his legs and spine as a child. That’s why he’s still devoted to help
energy to helping children and youth in Naples out the Shriner’s Hospital, where he was once a patient. “My heart was calling me to
and elsewhere. do it,” he said.
Those around him say he’s all heart.
The Hawaii native recently joined Drug Free “Ike is just a fantastic person,” said Rey Pezeshkan, Drug Free Collier Board
Collier as a Community Ambassador. Now he’s President. “The way he shares the message with kids and even adults strikes a chord
spreading the message about making smart about the importance of making good choices. All you have to do is listen to him and
choices, especially drug-free living. He’s out and a smile crosses your face and you feel charged up to go do the right thing and make a
about in the schools and at many youth-serving positive difference.”
agencies and events. He shared his message with Lely High School CORE Society members. Drug
Free Collier oversees the CORE groups, which offer students drug free alternatives
His motivation comes from his own story. and the support needed to maintain a healthy, safe lifestyle.
“Football is the hardest thing,” said the former “It was so inspirational,” said Alberto DeLeon, a Lely CORE member, who was
defensive end and linebacker who played for thrilled to meet an NFL player. “He shared his personal experiences.” Karen Barrera,
the Detroit Lions, the Miami Dolphins and also a CORE member and Lely senior, applauded Ike for “coming back to participate
the San Francisco 49ers. “You see the players on in the community and make things better for the schools and students.”
Sunday but you forget they are living everyday Ike was recently named President of the NFL Alumni – SWFL Chapter. Ike, 31,
with injuries. You have to put everything you was also asked to participate in “Dancing with the Stars – Naples.”He’s been practicing
can into it or you get hurt and won’t last long.” twice weekly. All the practice will culminate in November.
NFL practice camps were called “Hell Weeks.” Since he’s been learning the dance moves, he’s been hobbling about from the blisters
“They break your body down and it’s a real on his feet. “It was never this bad on the field,” he said, laughing.
physical grind,” he said. Ike suffered a broken When he’s not out in the community, he’s home with his wife, Maina and daughter
shoulder and hand, had concussions and back Elana, 4. They enjoy relaxing and taking in the outdoors whenever they can. He also
surgery. He took pain pills and soon struggled spends time in Hawaii visiting his family, including his two daughters, Leilani and
with addiction. Aislynn.
“I am blessed,” he said.
“You go down a dark hole,” he said. “You
don’t feel good about yourself, you start losing
everything and life goes into a slow fizzle.”That’s
why Ike has joined forces with Drug Free Collier,
a local non-profit and countywide coalition of
concerned citizens working together to protect
children from substance abuse since 2005.
And Ike just might be the best not-so secret
weapon to tackle the stigma around addiction.
42 Life in Naples | November 2016
