With New Bogotá Ideal Org Opened, Church of Scientology Colombia Steps Up Efforts to Help Rid Country of Drug Scourge

Since its spectacular grand opening July 7, the new Church of Scientology of Bogotá has been carrying out its promise, including bringing the Truth About Drugs campaign to Colombia’s leaders to work together to end the drug epidemic ravaging the country.

Two recent events illustrate the intensity with which the new Ideal Church of Scientology of Bogotá is working with local law enforcement to end the scourge of drugs in Colombia and throughout Latin America.

First was a seminar at the Church July 24 where 51 Colombian police officers trained to deliver drug education using the Truth About Drugs program.

Most of the officers came from rough Bogotá barrios where drugs and crime are not only commonplace, but accepted. Too often drugs are viewed as a necessary part of surviving in these crime hotspots.

Held in the Chapel of the Ideal Org, the 3 1/2-hour program followed the curriculum laid out in the Truth About Drugs Educator’s Guide. Each of the policemen were introduced to The Truth About Drugs booklets. They also watched the compelling The Truth About Drugs—Real People Real Stories documentary and reviewed other materials from the program.

The information I got from this workshop
will help me help the next generation  

“I smoked pot for a while,” said one of the policemen. “I quit, but I know now that that leads to a dangerous path. The information I got from this workshop will help me help the next generation, so they don’t make the wrong decision.” Another commented on how easy it was to “understand that drugs, no matter whether legal or illegal, are bad and even so-called ‘light’ drugs can lead any person into a dead end. I will take this back with me and help bring this information to others.”

“Thanks a lot,” said another policeman. “I really appreciate your care and attention. I feel ready to go out and deliver the Truth about Drugs campaign to my fellow policemen and the community.”

In addition, a separate Truth About Drugs session was held July 16 at the National Colombian Police Anti-Drug School in Bogotá, arranged by one of the dignitaries who spoke at the Church grand opening. The Truth About Drugs was the first subject covered in the three-week intensive training attended by 26 high-level police officers from different regions of Colombia as well as representatives or envoys from seven other Latin American Countries.

“I am very interested in this campaign,” said the officer over a battalion of the Colombian Navy. “I want to take it to the battalion because in our zone of action there is a lot of drug trafficking and this can help us.”

A Guatemalan police officer said, “This is a campaign that truly impacts people… I want to take it back to my country. It would be great to create a group over there such as the one you have here in Colombia.”

A training instructor expressed being very interested in the program. “I am an educator and I want to take this campaign to the youth,” she said.