Teams from the Brussels Branch of the Churches of Scientology for Europe add flair to dedication honoring a drug-free Mardi Gras.

Dressed up in Mardi Gras costumes, volunteers from the Brussels Branch of the Churches of Scientology for Europe set up a booth near the Brussels-Midi/Zuid (South) Station in St. Gilles. They were armed with drug education booklets to urge people to make this a drug-free Carnival.

Passengers, used to seeing the volunteers as they enter or leave the train, came by to thank them for their efforts, leaving with copies of their booklets.

Suspicious at first, one nurse was won over when he read through The Truth About Drugs booklet. He was so pleasantly surprised by the easy-to-understand facts that he decided to join the action, signing the volunteers’ drug-free pledge and taking a box of 200 booklets to distribute among the young people of his neighborhood. “I've always thought that it would be a great idea to educate youth about drugs,” he said. “I am very pleased to be able to move from theory to practice.”

Despite being rushed, one man stopped at the stand to sign the pledge and take a few booklets. He expressed his frustration at seeing a group of young students earlier in the day lighting up joints. He had promised himself that the next time something like this came up, he would do something effective and was pleased to now have the tools.

The team paid visits to local merchants who have supported their campaign by displaying sets of booklets in their shops. “They all cracked up when they saw us dressed up,” said one of the volunteers. “At one shop, a salesman who believes drugs are a vital problem was happy to see us again with our smiles and enthusiasm. He and another salesman assured us they will continue to support our program.”

Scientologists on six continents work in their communities throughout the year to empower others with the truth about drugs. The Church and its members are dedicated to eradicating drug abuse through education.