Scientology Volunteers in Catania Combat Drugs

Church of Scientology in Sicily helps neighbors avoid the disastrous effects of drugs.

Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Catania, Sicily, help protect their community from the disastrous effects of drugs.

They participate in a highly effective drug prevention campaign called the “Drug-Free Marshals.“  This is a program that originated in America in 1993, and has since become popular throughout the world.  It is based on an American tradition of the 19th Century where civilians were sworn in as deputy marshals to help combat crime in the Wild West. Following that model, Drug-Free Marshals are sworn in to protect people—from drug abuse and addiction. They take a pledge to live drug-free lives and help their families and friends do the same.

In addition to the work they do on drug education, the Scientology volunteers, led by Public Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology of Catania, Ms. Itria Leone, organize syringe pick-up days, where they confiscate needles discarded by addicts at the side of roads, in the grass and under bushes, that could cause children playing in the area to contract HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other communicable diseases.

These drug education and prevention activities are one of the reasons Ms. Leone was awarded the 2009 Silver Chimera Award for the impact she has made on the community through her work as coordinator of the social reform programs of the Church of Scientology.

L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, once said, “Save the child, and you save the nation,” and the volunteers of the Church of Scientology of Catania, who donate their time and efforts to helping the young people of their community, are committed to providing a safe future for the next generation.

For more information on the work Scientology churches are doing to handle the drug problem, visit the Scientology web site.