Foundation for a Drug-Free World Florida Combats Drug Illiteracy for Red Ribbon Week

Clearwater, FL: With the October 23rd to 31st Red Ribbon Week now in full roar, Florida's Foundation for a Drug-Free World is busy getting out educational materials from the Truth About Drugs program at 15 community events across the Tampa Bay area this week.

"Red Ribbon Week is a national, grass roots movement to raise awareness on drug abuse. The Foundation for a Drug-Free World honors Red Ribbon Week by getting out irrefutable facts about drugs through The Truth About Drugs booklets, public service announcements and screenings of The Truth About Drugs documentary film," said Foundation President Julieta Santagostino.

"The booklets speak to young people through facts, not scare tactics," said Ms. Santagostino. "The program is now used by more than 1,200 organizations in 180 countries, and would not be possible without the support of the Church of Scientology."

Inspired by the humanitarian work of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology and its parishioners are dedicated to eradicating drug addiction through education by supporting the work of organizations such as the Foundation for a Drug Free World.

"The planet has hit a barrier that prevents any widespread social progress: drugs and other toxic substances," wrote Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1978. "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."

"Mr. Hubbard's words from 1978 are as true then as they are now," said Lisa Mansell from the Public Affairs Department of the Church of Scientology. "Per the Centers for Disease Control, more than 107,000 Americans died of accidental overdoses last year. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that drug abuse can create, trigger or worsen anxiety and depression. If people do not know what the drugs really are and what they can do to a person, you are leaving an individual defenseless - another victim of a sales job from a dealer."

If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, go to www.drugfreeworld.org.

If you would like to know more about the humanitarian programs sponsored by the Church of Scientology, go to www.scientology.org/how-we-help/.

Lisa Mansell, Public Afairs Office
503 Cleveland Street
Clearwater, FL 33755

About the Foundation for a Drug Free World:
The Foundation for a Drug Free World is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free. Through a worldwide network of volunteers, 50 million of drug prevention booklets have been distributed, tens of thousands of drug awareness events have been held in some 180 countries and Truth About Drugs public service announcements have been aired on more than 500 television stations. These materials and activities have helped people around the world learn about the destructive side effects of drugs and thereby make the decision for themselves to not use them.

About the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization:
The Scientology religion was founded by humanitarian and philosopher, L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in the United States in 1954 and has expanded to more than 11,000 churches, missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 nations. Mr. Hubbard's research in the field of drug addiction brought unparalleled drug rehabilitation solutions to the world. This, in turn, galvanized the Church and Scientologists to initiate the Truth About Drugs, a secular program through which they have worked for more than two decades to empower the millions with the truth about drugs. The Church and its members are dedicated to eradicating drug abuse through education and invite the participation of all who share the goal of a drug-free world.

This release was published on openPR.