SEPTEMBER 29, 2015
Church of Scientology Answers Call to Help Stem UK Drug Crisis
The United Kingdom is plagued by a serious epidemic of drug addiction affecting all levels of society. The Foundation for a Drug-Free UK is helping concerned citizens take an active role in the fight.
British tabloids dubbed the United Kingdom the drug capital of Europe this summer when the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) reported more seizures of heroin and MDMA—better known as Ecstasy, or Molly—in the UK than in any European country.
This followed on the heels of the 2014 British Drug Survey that found more than 2 million in the UK admit to having a drug problem.
The survey found this is not just an inner city issue but pervasive. In fact, some 40 percent came from the higher echelons of society. The survey underscored the need for dramatic change.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “For every dollar spent on prevention, at least ten can be saved in future health, social and crime costs”.
“We make these materials available free of charge for anyone to use to educate others”.
Church of Scientology of London Public Affairs Director and Drug-Free World Coordinator Mr. Mark Pinchin is urging those who would like to do something effective about the drug epidemic to find out about the Truth About Drugs initiative and use it to reach youth before it is a problem.
“We make these materials available free of charge for anyone to use to educate others”, he says.
The program, used by more than 2,000 organizations, educators and law enforcement personnel internationally, is designed to be easy to learn and use and is based on more that 25 years of drug prevention experience.
ba90b001-19c1Attesting to the effectiveness of the program, an Essex-based drug prevention specialist has used these materials to educate in excess of 60,000 students on the dangers of drugs and alcohol in the past two years.
"Young people who are given the right education and guidance can be impacted upon and then they make the right choices for themselves".
“I have often listened to a drug user’s side of the story, hearing how they have not seen their children for years. Also seeing how low they have become in themselves. When I visit a school, I can see the students who know exactly what I am talking about, because they have experienced it firsthand with their own parents”, he says. “I have found that despite the actions of those around them, young people who are given the right education and guidance can be impacted upon and then they make the right choices for themselves”.
Volunteers hold more than 400 Truth About Drugs drug prevention events in the UK each year. Over 5 million copies of the Truth About Drugs booklets have been distributed throughout the country, including 1.5 million handed out at the London Olympics, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Edinburgh Festival.
“Anyone wishing to learn to conduct drug education seminars may contact our Church”, says Mr. Pinchin. “We will be happy to arrange a free workshop to train them to deliver the entire curriculum and provide them with the materials”.
Find out more about the Truth About Drugs Education campaign and what the Church of Scientology does to support effective drug education and prevention initiatives.
