Colombia Scientologists Promote Drug Awareness
On United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Bogotá held a workshop and street events to reach youth with the truth about drugs.
In observance of United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on June 26 volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Bogotá held a series of events to raise awareness on the consequences of drug use.
The need for effective drug prevention in Colombia is clear: The UN World Drug Report states, “The world’s largest cocaine seizures—unadjusted for purity—continue to be reported from Colombia (200 tons).”
To launch the activities of the day, volunteers organized and conducted a three-day workshop at a San Vicente high school to train educators on the Truth About Drugs Education Package. The interactive lessons are based on 25 years of experience reaching youth with drug education and prevention. Students read booklets and watch public service announcements on the most commonly abused substances. They also watch an award-winning feature-length documentary, The Truth About Drugs—Real People, Real Stories, a compelling series of firsthand accounts of former addicts.
The principal and 84 educators who attended were so impressed by the program they are now eager to use the curriculum with their students.
Volunteers then took to the streets, distributing thousands of copies of The Truth About Drugs, a booklet whose message completely aligns with the theme of this year’s United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking—“Make health your ‘new high’ not drugs.”
For more than two and a half decades, Scientologists on five continents have been working in their communities to empower others with the truth about drugs. The Church and its members are dedicated to eradicating drug abuse through education.
The Church of Scientology has published a brochure, Scientology: How We Help—The Truth About Drugs, Creating a Drug-Free World, to meet requests for more information about the drug education and prevention initiative it supports. To learn more or read a copy of the brochure, visit the Scientology website.
Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “The planet has hit a barrier which prevents any widespread social progress—drugs and other biochemical substances. These can put people into a condition which not only prohibits and destroys physical health but which can prevent any stable advancement in mental or spiritual well-being.”
The Church of Scientology supports the Truth About Drugs, one of the world’s largest nongovernmental drug education and prevention campaigns. It has been conclusively proven that when young people are provided with the truth about drugs—factual information on what drugs are and what they do—usage rates drop commensurately.