After a 10-year struggle, my younger brother, Steven, lost his battle against drugs. In 1988, he died of a cocaine overdose in the back seat of a police car. Steven left behind a beautiful 5-year old daughter, a loving wife, and his family. In 1994, my other brother, Eric, committed suicide. For 10 years, he suffered from a severe case of depression. Doctors said that Eric's depression - and death - were very likely linked to his long-term drug use that began in high school.

Following the loss of my brothers, I realized that they might have steered clear of drugs had they seen and heard how drugs would affect their lives - and how the devastating effects of drugs would end their lives.

My family was very close to Steven and Eric. The reality of my brothers' drug addiction and mental illness became an on-going struggle for the family. For 11 years, we searched to find adequate care-giving resources to help Steven and Eric get well.

Our search took us from one dead-end to the next. Finally, we stumbled onto a few benevolent visionaries who ran privately funded programs that offered free treatment to young people suffering from substance abuse. These nonprofit centers encouraged us as we saw dozens of young people getting quality help that changed their lives.

My family also made another discovery during its search. We found drug prevention programs that targeted young people were not having lasting impact. We believed we could change that. After thoughtful discussion and consultation with education and drug experts, we decided to start the Sundt Memorial Foundation because we believed we could make lasting change in the lives of children.

Many of us have loved ones or friends whose lives have been ruined by substance abuse. But through effective prevention, we can save lives and help families create happy memories with their families, not sad ones.

Together, we can make a difference.

Jon Sundt

President and Founder

With the support of his wife and family, Jon Sundt started the Sundt Memorial Foundation in 1994. Since it’s inception, the Foundation has touched the lives of millions of kids across America through our primary outreach vehicle, the Natural High® DVD Series. The goal of these drug abuse prevention DVDs is to help children choose a “Natural High” and reject drugs. The DVDs are sent free to public, private, and alternative schools throughout the country with a 5th grade. Parents, teachers, and social workers applaud the inspiring, hard-hitting messages. Kids "ooh" and "aah" as they watch their heroes and heroines talk tough about drugs.

The feedback from these videos has been overwhelming. Letters from teachers, parents, students, and law enforcement officers, give us tremendous encouragement that the Natural High® DVD Series is making an impact and changing lives. We frequently receive letters and emails about our videos saying such things as, "This is best video I ever seen in 25 years of teaching," "Wow! My grandson has watched this a dozen times" and a sixth grader said, "The video gives you a really good feeling - it makes you want to stay clean and healthy." Read more of these powerful testimonials

The Sundt Memorial Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit. In May 2011, the Foundation officially changed it’s name to Natural High®, after theNatural High® DVD Series it is best known for.

You can help. Visit our Give Page to see how you can make a tax-deductible contribution. Also, tell a friend or organization what we're doing and get them motivated to help!