Community Outreach and Assistance Programs

Anti-Drug Campaigns

he staggering problem of drug abuse is addressed by the Church and its parishioners through numerous grass roots anti-drug efforts, with emphasis on education and prevention.

In the United States, the Church of Scientology International's “Lead the Way to a Drug-Free USA” campaign works with other community anti-drug organizations, united by the common purpose of eradicating drugs. Lead the Way in the United States further broadened its scope when it sponsored a national conference in Washington, DC, attended by more than 100 leaders in the anti-drug field.

In Canada and in European countries including Germany, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Sweden, Norway and Italy and in the United Kingdom and Mexico, the Church's “Say No to Drugs” program has conducted broad, public drug-abuse awareness and prevention campaigns.

Church of Scientology International also created and launched the “Drug-Free Marshals” youth drug-education and prevention program in 1993, a program to educate children as young as 6 on the dangers of drugs, and to challenge them to remain drug-free. They demonstrate their commitment by being “sworn in” as Drug-Free Marshals, pledging to remain drug-free and to encourage their peers to do the same.

The campaign rapidly spread internationally. Since its inception, in excess of 12,000 youth and 1,000 adults have been sworn in as Drug-Free Marshals in cities and towns throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and Europe.

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