2011 Year in Review – Church of Scientology Spearheads Program to Eradicate Drug Abuse in Tennessee

Nashville, TN, December 23, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The need for effective drug prevention has never been more urgent. Some 210 million people internationally consume illegal drugs—more than the populations of California, New York, the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia combined. Almost 200,000 die of drugs annually, according to the United Nations World Drug Report. In the United States, more high school students now smoke marijuana than cigarettes. Every 12 seconds, another school-age child experiments with illicit drugs for the first time, and every year, youth are exposed to these dangerous substances at younger ages.

Recognizing the global impact of drug abuse, Scientology Churches around the world sponsored the Foundation for a Drug-Free World (DFW) in the production and distribution of more than 4.2 million drug education booklets and thousands of information packets, banners, posters and educator kits, making them available free of charge to the public. They joined forces with like-minded groups and individuals in 2011 to reach more than 100 million people with factual information on drugs.

In Middle Tennessee, the Tennessee Chapter of DFW started the year by forming a partnership between with the Nashville Metros, a United Soccer League franchise. The Metros proudly promoted the drug-free message on their team jerseys and with banners on their playing field. “Truth About Drugs” booklets were distributed to attendees at their games throughout the season.

This year also saw dozens of anti-drug lectures delivered in Tennessee middle schools, high schools and college. The Tennessee Chapter visited Davidson, Rutherford, Benton, Trousdale, Union, Wilson, Williamson and other counties, resulting in thousands of students receiving information on the truth about drugs. Rev. Brian Fesler of the Nashville Church of Scientology assists the Tennessee Chapter of DFW. He says, “It is so important that we get these messages to youth before drug dealers reach them with lies. That is what our campaign is all about.”

The Church of Scientology sponsors the world's largest nongovernmental drug education and prevention campaign. 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 measurably. To learn more about the drug prevention initiative sponsored by the Church of Scientology or to participate, visit www.scientology.org. To read about the Drug Free World, visit www.drugfreeworld.org.

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