KINGNEWSWIRE – Europe, July 3, 2024 – drug free – // In a world where drug abuse is on the rise, various international efforts are actively promoting a drug-free lifestyle. From scenic motorcycle tours through Northern Italy, to the streets of Valencia, Spain, to informative events in Brussels, Belgium, and Prague in the Czech Republic, these movements share a common mission: to inform the public about the risks of drug use and advocate for evidence-based prevention strategies.
Bergamo, Italy: The 7th Annual “Say No to Drugs” Motogiro Nazionale
In Bergamo, Italy, motorcycle enthusiasts are gearing up for the 7th edition of Say No to Drugs Motogiro Nazionale, an event organized by Dico No Alla Droga (Say No to Drugs) Italy. The initiative is part of a campaign in support of the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse. The 2024 theme “Evidence: Prioritizing Prevention” highlights the importance of raising awareness of the harmful effects of drug use, such as physical and mental health problems, fatal overdoses, and societal challenges.
Oreste Depaoli, Executive Director for Italy, underlines the importance of having accurate, detailed and well-supported information on drugs. According to Depaoli, there is a lack of awareness among the population about the nature and effects of drugs. He points out that some societal campaigns present drugs as harmless, but by knowing their realities, individuals can make informed choices on this crucial subject and opt for a drug-free lifestyle.
Prague, Czech Republic: 20th Anniversary of the Czech Drug-Free Cycling Race
In Prague, Czech Republic, the Say No to Drugs – Say Yes to Life association – a subsidiary of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World – recently celebrated the anniversary of its Drug-Free Czech Cyclo Run. The 12-day event, organized by Cyclo Run director Lukáš Bechyně and founder Vlastimil Špalek, features cycling and running activities across the country to raise awareness among young people about the risks of drug use.
Bechyně points out the growing sophistication of drug producers, traffickers and sellers. He notes: “The market is flooded with an increasing variety of drugs that are now easily accessible to even younger people. Previously, our educational discussions targeted seventh graders; however, we now start two years earlier, as some children begin experimenting with drugs as young as ten.”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) extends its support to these initiatives, emphasizing that prevention strategies based on research and collaboration with families, schools and communities can ensure the well-being of children and young people, particularly those who are marginalized or come from poor backgrounds – helping them lead healthy lives into adulthood. According to UNODC reports, investing in prevention measures can lead to savings in future health care and social protection costs.
Fight against drug addiction in a key port of Valencia
In Valencia, Spain, volunteers from the Church of Scientology Valencia Mission are actively addressing the pressing problem of drug abuse within their community. Valencia serves as a hub for the influx of narcotics into Europe, particularly from Latin America and North Africa. A major drug bust in 2022 resulted in the confiscation of 5.5 tons of cocaine, highlighting the city’s role in global trafficking networks.
Volunteers have launched an anti-drug campaign, distributing information leaflets with simple facts about commonly used substances, while classes are being held in schools across the region. Ghada Waly, UNODC Executive Director, stresses the importance of investing in prevention efforts because, as she says: “The production, distribution and use of drugs continue to fuel instability and inequality, undermining individual health, safety, security and general well-being.”
Brussels hosts drug prevention marathon
In Brussels, Belgium, the Scientology Network marked the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with a series of documentaries. The event featured a documentary focusing on the work of drug prevention expert Julie Delvaux. Held at Boulevard de Waterloo, the premiere included discussions and testimonies from people affected by drug addiction.
Delvaux actively promotes awareness of The Truth About Drugs throughout Belgium. She is featured in the Scientology Network’s original series Voices for Humanity. Delvaux mentioned that there is a lot of misinformation circulating about drugs these days.
She stressed the importance of providing information to young people through the Truth About Drugs campaign in order to educate them before they are influenced by drug traffickers. Delvaux believes that this initiative is crucial in paving the way for a society free from drug abuse.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has recently published its report on the drugs situation in Europe up to the end of 2022. The report, which draws data from EU Member States, Turkey and Norway, highlights the challenges of monitoring drug use due to stigma and hidden behaviours. It stresses the need to use multiple data sources for trend analysis and provides detailed methodological information and constraints in its online Statistical Bulletin.
Open, individually and collectively, the way to a drug-free Europe
From organizing motorcycle tours in Italy to hosting events in Belgium, these global programs highlight the importance of investing in education and prevention to combat drug abuse. With the support of organizations like the Foundation for a Drug-Free World and the dedication of volunteers like Oreste Depaoli, Lukáš Bechyně, Vlastimil Spalek, and Julie Delvaux, the fight against drug addiction is gaining momentum. Looking ahead, it is clear that by prioritizing prevention efforts, we can pave the way for a safer, drug-free world.
Established in 2006, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World has become a key player in the fight against drug addiction. As the leading non-governmental drug education program, it has operated in 196 countries and provided evidence-based information for over 25 years. The Foundation’s flagship project, “The Truth About Drugs,” is a pillar of the broader Say No to Drugs movement.
At the heart of their mission is the creation and dissemination of educational materials addressing changing drug trends. DFW provides these resources completely free of charge to entities such as schools, community groups, government agencies, law enforcement agencies, as well as private businesses.
With a network of approximately 200 chapters worldwide, the Foundation’s impact is truly remarkable. Their Truth About Drugs initiative has reached over a billion people, bringing optimism to a world struggling with the impacts of drug abuse. This widespread awareness is made possible by volunteers and numerous international partnerships.
The Foundation’s efforts exemplify the importance of education and prevention in shaping a drug-free future, as inspired by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.
By providing timely information, they not only raise awareness: they empower communities and nations to make informed choices and drive positive transformation.
In doing so, they provide a glimmer of hope, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve a world free from the clutches of drug addiction.
Originally published in The European Times.
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