Church of Scientology urges community counter-attack against drugs

The Church of Scientology International is directing its churches and missions in 165 countries to join forces with the United Nations on June 26th in raising awareness on drug abuse. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking is based on U.N. General Assembly resolution 42/112 passed in 1987 to strengthen action and cooperation in eliminating drug abuse.

Scientology officials are asking members, neighbors, youth groups, officials and community organizations to first educate themselves about drugs and then pass it on. Through its community anti-drug outreach program, the Church developed pocket-sized youth friendly educational booklets on commonly abused drugs, which have been published by Foundation for a Drug-Free World since 2006. With the help of Church volunteers and community alliances, millions of the booklets have been distributed since 1995.

“Ask any drug addict and he will tell you he never planned to become addicted and if had he really understood the consequences of drug abuse, he would never have tried drugs in the first place,” said Rev. Bob Adams Vice President of the Church of Scientology International.

Community action against drug abuse is also positive gain for civic leaders struggling with dwindling budgets for drug prevention programs. Once common drug prevention services from the DEA, FBI and even law enforcement programs like DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) are being shaved and in many areas cut entirely.

Staggering figures of disease and death from drug use have been around for years, but the specific harm to individuals, families and society in terms of crime, health costs and productivity losses are harder to find. According to the the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, teens and young adults are particularly at risk, with drug use more than twice as high as that among the general population. The UNODC says that peer pressure to experiment and the fact that people taking drugs tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the health risks involved.

“Our community drug-education program has been in very heavy demand since its inception,” said Rev. Adams. “Widespread drug education is the most effective weapon in the war on drugs and doing it is saving lives.”

To obtain free drug education booklets contact your nearest Church of Scientology or write to info@drugfreeworld.org.