(PRWEB) July 11, 2014

Volunteers from Scientology Churches and Missions are taking action against drug abuse this week with drug education lectures, forums and conferences, information stands, sports events, and drug education booklet distribution in cities around the world.

Drug abuse is an international epidemic. According to the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs costs more than $ 425 billion dollars annually in crime, lost work, decreased productivity and healthcare.

In the face of statistics such as these, Scientologists bring effective solutions to bear with drug prevention activities throughout the year. They work with like-minded groups to fulfill the mandate of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Traffickingthe day set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness about the global drug problem.

In Italy, Say No to Drugs volunteers held sports events in coordination with local officials and carried the message further with the distribution of The Truth About Drugs booklets in cities up and down the Italian boot.

Russian Scientologists brought the message of drug-free living to night clubs and organized and held street events.

In Brussels, volunteers took the campaign to cities in Flanders including seaside resorts, distributing tens of thousands of copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets.

In Washington, D.C., the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office organized a drug prevention forum on Capitol Hill hosted by actress Erika Christensen. Members of Congress presented Drug-Free Hero awards to deserving drug prevention advocates.

The Church of Scientology of New York hosted the 7th Annual Northeastern U.S. Drug-Free Heroes Awards Gala, where 11 community leaders were acknowledged for their work.

In the Czech Republic, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking coincides with the nationwide anti-drug cyclorunvolunteers are cycling and running from city to city, delivering lectures, visiting local officials and distributing The Truth About Drugs booklets.

German Scientologists distributed more than 9,000 copies of drug education booklets to shops in Berlin and Hamburg, while another team was traveling by bus, stopping in towns and cities throughout the country to carry out street events and promote drug-free living.

Slovakian Scientologists commemorated the day with more than a dozen drug education lectures.

The new Ideal Church of Scientology of Kaohsiung held a drug-prevention day, including a drug prevention interaction conference with seminars to train community leaders in the use of The Truth About Drugs drug education program.

Working in coordination with Maori Wardens and other community groups, volunteers from the Church of Scientology distributed The Truth About Drugs booklets in Auckland, New Zealand.

And so it rolls out in city after city, in a concerted international effort to reach youth with the message of living drug-free.

The Church of Scientology supports the Truth About Drugs initiative. Young people presented with the unvarnished facts about what drugs can do are far more likely to reject them on their own. More than 62 million educational booklets have been distributed, and public service announcements have reached more than 260 million viewers in 123 countries.

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, The planet has hit a barrier which prevents any widespread social progressdrugs 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.