Scientologists and Druze Leaders Join Hands to Combat Drug Abuse and Addiction
Every week, in cities around the world, Scientologists work in their communities to bring about a drug-free world, as described in the brochure released November 13, 2012, Scientology: How We Help—The Truth About Drugs, Creating a Drug-Free World
A recent wave of arrests of youth caught smuggling drugs in the region prompted a search for solutions by community leaders of Isfiya, a hub of the monotheistic Middle Eastern Druze religion in the north of Israel. On learning of the Truth About Drugs program, they turned to the new Center of Scientology of Tel Aviv for help.
Every year, the Isfiya City Council selects a theme for their annual parade. This year, they transformed the festival into a way to combat drug and alcohol abuse and invited the Scientologists to set up Truth About Drugs booths around the village.
The parade was led by local religious leaders—Muslims, Christians, Druze and Jews—who marched side by side to show their solidarity on this issue. After the parade, at one of the five Truth About Drugs booths, they pledged to live a drug-free life. Some 1,500 other festival-goers made the same commitment.
“We spoke with many parents who were concerned about their children’s drinking habits,” said Ayelet Mallis, coordinator of the Scientology Center’s drug education and prevention program in Israel. “They knew they had a problem but didn't know what to do. They were relieved to find that our booklets contained the knowledge they need to communicate to their children.”
Active in drug education and prevention for more than two decades, the Church has sponsored distribution of millions of booklets, fliers and posters through thousands of drug education activities in communities, schools, churches and the workplace.
_____________
The Church of Scientology has published a new 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 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 sponsors 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.