Joining the international movement to serve the community on Mandela Day, Cape Town Scientologists reached out to youth in their city with the truth about drugs.

Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Cape Town honored Nelson Mandela on Mandela Day July 18, by distributing copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets throughout the city.

In 2009, the United Nations set aside July 18, Mandela’s birthday, as “Nelson Mandela International Day” to honor the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. The UN has joined the Mandela Foundation’s call to action for people around the world to engage in 67 minutes of humanitarian work—one minute for every year Mandela devoted to public service.

Cape Town Scientologists chose to answer the call this year with drug education, particularly relevant in the wake of the June 16 announcement by South African Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa of a 600 percent increase in teen drug use over the last 10 years.

“Drug abuse is costing South Africa R20-billion a year and could pose a bigger threat to the country's future than the AIDS pandemic,” said Mthethwa. “Compounding the increase in substance abuse is the sad reality that some segments of society perceive drug-taking to be cool, normal and acceptable. This is a social problem that cuts across all demographic groups…. Let us however, not forget that international drug markets rely on supply and demand and without demand there would be no supply. The South African youth are drug dealers’ biggest target audience.”

The Truth About Drugs initiative addresses this issue with hard-hitting fact-filled booklets and videos that provide the information youth need to decide to live drug-free. The Church of Scientology makes these materials available free of charge to educators, law enforcement and community programs.

Proud to honor Mandela with their Truth About Drugs booklet distribution on Mandela Day, Church of Scientology Cape Town volunteers view and carry out drug prevention activities as a year-round responsibility.

Scientologists on five continents work in their communities throughout the year 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 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.”