FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Africa United for a Drug-Free Country

Active in drug education and prevention throughout the year, Drug-Free World chapters in South Africa marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as the culmination of a concerted drive to bring an end to the country's drug epidemic.

Crowning two months of intense drug prevention activities leading up to the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Drug-Free World chapters throughout South Africa commemorated the day with renewed commitment to end the country’s drug epidemic.

In Johannesburg, the Church hosted an open house and forum attended by more than 200 activists from communities throughout the region including Kathlehong, Thokoza, Vosloorus, Benoni, Bosmont, Orange Farm and Primrose, introducing them to The Truth About Drugs curriculum. The bulk of those attending will be carrying out a project under the Department of Education to introduce the program to youth in schools in their districts.

The Church made some 5,000 copies of The Truth About Drugs booklet available to those attending so they can begin to hand them out in their communities and will be providing more extensive training to them on how to deliver and document the results of the program.

Church of Scientology Pretoria spearheaded a campaign to carry out 100 drug prevention events in the two months leading up to International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. They not only accomplished this, they surpassed it, holding 115 events. In that two-month period, they also distributed some 100,000 copies of The Truth About Drugs series of booklets and reached an estimated 842,000 people through social media.

Other South African Drug-Free World chapters commemorated the day including:

  • The Drug-Free World Chapter of Eldorado Park, who held an event in their township
  • Drug-Free World Tshwane, where six bands performed at a drug prevention event in Soshanguve
  • Drug-Free World Boksburg, with an event for 130 high school students
  • Drug-Free World Mpumalanga, with an event in the community hall to over 200 youth

The Church of Scientology supports the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Scientologists on six 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 Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.

CONTACT:
Church of Scientology Media Relations
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