Helping Washington State Youth Say "No" to Marijuana

Seattle, Washington, June 28, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Seattle’s iconic Space Needle was the backdrop for volunteers from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World who spread their message of drug-free living on United Nation’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

This year’s theme, Listen First, is designed to “increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.”

On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, I call on countries and communities to continue to improve the lives of everyone blighted by drug abuse by integrating security and public safety with a heightened focus on health, human rights, and sustainable development.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated:  “On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, I call on countries and communities to continue to improve the lives of everyone blighted by drug abuse by integrating security and public safety with a heightened focus on health, human rights, and sustainable development.”

Drug-Free World volunteers distributed hundreds of copies of The Truth About Marijuana booklets in their ongoing effort to protect youth from the harmful effect of marijuana. 

At a recent community-wide drug prevention forum at the Church of Scientology Seattle, Dr. Steven Freng, Prevention & Treatment Manager at the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program (NW HIDTA), emphasized the role of marijuana as a gateway drug.

National Institute on Drug Abuse studies show that marijuana interferes with motivation, memory and learning and students who regularly use marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World provides educators with practical tools to give youth solid facts which enable them to choose to lead drug-free lives all on their own. Educators and volunteers like those in Seattle have helped distribute over 55 million handouts on drug education.

The Church of Scientology Seattle supports the local chapter of 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.

Source: ScientologyNews.org