Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - More than 200 people gathered at the Agustín Flores Contreras sports stadium on Sunday, June 25, to participate in the 14th Race Against Addictions. The purpose of the competition, jointly organized by the municipal DIF System and the Center for Youth Integration (CIJ), was to promote a healthy lifestyle free from addictive substances.

In an atmosphere of harmony and enthusiasm, children, teens and adults walked, jogged and ran the 5 kilometers all the way to the finish line, where municipal authorities gave each participant a commemorative medal.

The director of the System for Integral Family Development of Puerto Vallarta (DIF), David de la Rosa Flores, who came on behalf of its president, Candelaria Tovar de Davalos, mentioned that health is very important to the DIF family and therefore they work in conjunction with the CIJ to create family-friendly prevention and awareness campaigns.

"This is a recreational run, a fun activity to bring families together. You are all winners, and we reiterate the invitation to learn about all the different programs the DIF System offers, one of which is the Preverp Adicciones (Addiction Prevention) program, which is the theme of this event," he said.

On behalf of the CIJ, psychologist Liz Arelí Osuna said that this run is a very important activity for them because it is carried out at the national level. "This race is being held to bring families together in every place around the country that has a Youth Integration Center," she said.

At the end of the competition, the DIF and CIJ representatives, accompanied by the head of The Municipal Sports Council, José Amador Hernández, raffled off the great prizes provided by the event's sponsors amongst all of the competitors.