Drug prevention open house and forum at the National Scientology Organization of Mexico brings together community leaders in the name of a drug-free Mexico.

A forum at the Ideal Scientology Organization of Mexico brought together community leaders from diverse social sectors to discuss drug consumption and reaffirm their commitment to take effective action against the drug abuse epidemic.  

 

The program featured a panel of experts in the field of drug prevention: Mr. Francisco Castillo, professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and an expert in drug addiction; Commander David Irigoyen Ortega, Commander of the School Security Unit of Mexico City Police; and Commander Benjamin Salvador Jimenez, Commander of the Auxiliary Police Forces of the State of Mexico.

Drugs are more than just another social problem. Approximately 210 million people at all levels of society use illegal drugs. Almost 200,000 die of drug abuse each year .

Drug prevention is essential to bring this epidemic under control. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, for every dollar spent on prevention, at least ten can be saved in future health, social and crime costs.

Mr. Solomon Dabbah, Director of the Mexico chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, highlighted the importance of The Truth About Drugs campaign and its success in Mexico and around the world.

He stressed the effectiveness of its audio-visual materials, beginning with the program’s public service announcements. In 30 seconds or less, they depict the disastrous consequences of experimenting with each of the most commonly used drugs. The award-winning documentary, The Truth About Drugs—Real People, Real Stories, conveys the consequences of taking drugs through the words of former addicts who lived to tell their stories.

The high point of the forum was the presentation of a certificate of recognition to Commander Benjamin Salvador Jimenez for his work in drug prevention, his thirty years of service as a police officer, and 23 years as leader of the 19th Region of the Police Auxiliary Forces in the State of Mexico.

“As a community, Scientologists are 100 percent drug-free. We take our responsibility for combating drug abuse very seriously.”

Reverend Jonathan Marduk Rico, Scientology spokesman for Latin America, spoke of the culture of drug prevention and drug-free living typical of Scientologists. “As a community, Scientologists are 100 percent drug-free. We take our responsibility for combating drug abuse very seriously,” he said. “In the book Clear Body, Clear Mind, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, ‘The planet has hit a barrier which prevents any widespread social progress—drugs and other biochemical substances… Research has demonstrated that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs.’”

Rico concluded by inviting the community to join in the effort to change society, saying, “each person can make a difference.”

The Church of Scientology supports The Truth About Drugs campaign. It has been conclusively proven that when young people receive objective information on what drugs are, usage rates drop significantly.