Thousands of anti-drug education booklets were distributed throughout France over the last weekend as part of the international “Drug-Free World” campaign. The movement, motivated by the humanitarian efforts of L. Ron Hubbard, empowers citizens to inform young people with accurate information about drugs. Citizens and entrepreneurs in Lyon and Le Touquet welcomed the movement with open arms and local backing. With increasing momentum throughout Europe, the campaign is making a tangible difference in reducing drug abuse via prevention and education.
Nationwide Distribution and Community Involvement
France, July 23, 2025 — A moving testament to citizen-based prevention, volunteers throughout France rallied over the weekend under the international program “The Truth About Drugs“, distributing over 19,000 drug education pamphlets to communities ranging from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Lyon, Murol to Le Touquet.
L. Ron Hubbard’s Legacy Behind the Movement
This grassroots movement is part of the global “Drug-Free World” initiative, which draws on the humanitarian efforts of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, who recognized drug abuse as a primary obstacle to societal advancement. As he put it, “Research has demonstrated that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs.” His observations lay the intellectual foundation for a movement that now reaches tens of millions in over 180 nations.
A Weekend of Action Throughout France
The Southwest France team led the way, with focused outreach in town centers, seaside resorts, and village hubs. Highlights included:
- Murol and Chambon (19 July): 34 shops distributed booklets. A craft worker, who had been a campaign supporter for a long time, took 60 copies for her business, commending the volunteers on their diligence and determination.
- Lyon (20 July): booklets were welcomed at 8 strategic locations around the busy Westfield shopping center, drawing the notice of younger business owners who hadn’t heard of the initiative before.
- Northern France (20 July): In Berck-Ville, Berck-Plage, and Le Touquet, the team enjoyed a record 13,000 booklets delivered to 162 businesses—many of which happily cleared space to sell the materials. 126 display points now stock the materials throughout the region.
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz (19 July): More than 4,180 booklets were distributed via shops and one street stand. The day resulted in 49 official endorsements, 14 anti-drug ambassador commitments, and 8 interactive course completions through distortion goggles that mimic the effects of drug consumption.
Personal Stories of Impact and Community Involvement
The campaign is not just figures—it’s altering lives. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, one woman operating a children’s art workshop donated scores of booklets, fervently volunteering to introduce the team to the authorities so that they could create a stand at the famed Night Festivals in the Basque region.
Parental Concern Leads to New Opportunities
In another instance, a facilitator from a primary school—alarmed at the absence of drug education in her daughter’s school—expressed interest in bringing the campaign to middle schools locally and in her hometown, Marseille, where she painted a dire increase in drug usage compared to her time.
Citizens Step In With Peer-to-Peer Prevention
Even ordinary citizens were involved: a retiree picked up the booklets on the harmful effects of cannabis for a neighbor, while a mother and her youth visited the booth to educate themselves together. Some high school students in Seine-Saint-Denis (department 93) took the materials to assist a friend, illustrating how prevention is going peer-directed.
Global Reach of the Drug-Free World Movement
The Drug-Free World campaign has reached over 200 million individuals around the world, distributing educational booklets, online courses, and public service announcements for free. The program, coordinated globally by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, is in partnership with teachers, police, community leaders, and concerned citizens.
France’s Urgent Need for Drug Education
In Europe, the drug situation continues to be cause for concern. France is one of the leading European nations for the use of cannabis, particularly among youth, as reported by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). In 2023, a report showed that 21% of French 15-16-year-olds reported having used cannabis in the previous year—significantly higher than the average for Europe.
Education Over Punishment: A Scientology Statement
In answer, efforts such as this one are filling voids left by overburdened public systems. As Ivan Arjona Pelado, President of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights, confirms:
“We can’t fight drug abuse by punishing. Our weapon is education. That’s why many Scientologists and concerned citizens from all over Europe give their time and effort to prevention. We present facts. We spark change. And we say, with no apology: No to drugs, YES TO LIFE.”
Shaping a Drug-Free Future Through Awareness
With ongoing public participation and increasing local support, this campaign is not just raising awareness but also empowering a new generation to make educated decisions—and to enable others to do the same.
Media Contact
Organization: European Office Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
Contact Person: Ivan Arjona
Website: https://www.scientologyeurope.org
Email: Send Email
Address: Boulevard de Waterloo 103
City: Brussels
State: Brussels
Country: Belgium
Release Id: 24072531333
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