Introducing the Truth About Drugs to government, community, and religious leaders in South Africa’s capital

To make effective drug prevention broadly available in every sector of South African society, the Church of Scientology of Pretoria invited government, community and religious leaders to attend an open house and presentation April 13, 2013, on the Truth About Drugs, the drug prevention initiative the Church supports.

Maurithus Meiring, Director of Public Affairs, hosted the program and released a brochure, Scientology: How We Help—the Truth About Drugs, Creating a Drug-Free World. He played a selection of the award-winning Truth About Drugs public service announcements and described the drug prevention activities of Scientologists to combat drug abuse and addiction around the world.

The presentation was held in the Church Chapel and guests were invited to tour the Church’s Public Information Center containing more than 500 videos that present the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion and a detailed overview of the Truth about Drugs and other Church-supported humanitarian programs.

Guests were also presented with sets of the 13 Truth About Drugs booklets that communicate the truth about the most commonly abused substances.

Attendees were eager to implement the Truth About Drugs in their areas: a local police commander wants to train her officers on the Truth About Drugs to help them become more effective in the fight against drugs. A community leader wants the program for his schools, where experimentation with “nyope”—a deadly mixture of marijuana, crystal meth, Ritalin and other poisonous substances—is on the rise. A minister asked about implementing the program with her congregation.

Located at 83 Bopape St. in Pretoria, the Church of Scientology of Pretoria held its grand opening February 23, 2013. The Church reflects the fulfillment of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision for the religion. It not only provides the ideal facilities for Scientologists in their ascent to greater states of spiritual awareness and freedom, it is also designed to serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.

The Church of Scientology has published the brochure Scientology: How We Help—The Truth About Drugs, Creating a Drug-Free World to meet the growing demand for the drug education and prevention initiative it supports. To learn more or to read a copy of the brochure, visit Scientology.org/AntiDrug.

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.”

The Church of Scientology supports the Truth About Drugs, one of the world’s largest nongovernmental drug education and prevention campaigns. It has been conclusively proven that when young people are provided with the truth about drugs—factual information on what drugs are and what they do—usage rates drop commensurately.