Venezuela violent crime rate prompts massive distribution of The Way to Happiness funded by donations from Scientologists around the world.

Over the past 14 years, the Venezuela homicide rate has spiraled out of control, rising from 25 per 100,000 residents in 1999 to a devastating 45.1 per 100,000 in 2011, a matter of great concern to the country’s new government. To counter the violence, Scientologists from around the world helped fund a massive infusion of 4.5 million copies of the nonreligious moral code The Way to Happiness.

Violent crime is one of the many symptoms of a severe moral crisis and The Way to Happiness, a nonreligious moral code based entirely on common sense, written by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, consists of 21 precepts anyone can use to help arrest the moral decline in society and restore integrity and trust in others.

Millions of copies of the booklet were distributed in the cities of Caracas, Maracaibo, Barquisimeto and Valencia and along the Venezuela-Colombia border where drug trafficking is rampant.

Actress Ruddy Rodriguez and TV personality Eduardo Galán, both Scientologists, spearheaded a media campaign known as “Artists for a Secure and Prosperous Venezuela” featuring prominent celebrities in the fields of entertainment, fashion and sports. The celebrities created a series of public service announcements, each presenting one of the 21 precepts of The Way to Happiness.

Eight of those featured in the PSAs helped launch the campaign at an event at Centro San Ingnacio Mall in Caracas.

To spread the word, Scientologists also funded The Way to Happiness billboards promoting the phone number people can call to receive a free copy of the booklet. These and The Way to Happiness website, Facebook page and Twitter feed spread the message from the booklet: “It is in your power to point the way to a less dangerous and happier life.”

The Church of Scientology and its members are proud to share the tools for happier living contained in The Way to Happiness with all who work to build a better world. For more information, visit www.Scientology.org/thewaytohappiness

Scientology: How We Help—The Way to Happiness, Creating a World of Honesty, Trust & Self-Respect is one of a series of brochures presented by the Church of Scientology International to meet requests for more information about the Scientology religion and its support of global humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs.