A local beauty salon owner in Commerce, California, has joined forces with Bridge Publications, a publisher of the works of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, to distribute drug education booklets in her community. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and its connection to crime.
Rising Crime Rate in Commerce
Virginia, who owns a beauty salon on East Washington Boulevard, has been distressed by the rising crime rate in the area. Her salon has been broken into 10 times over the last few years. She confided her concerns to a team of volunteers from Bridge Publications who were holding a community cleanup earlier this summer. And what they told her gave her hope.
“There is a close connection between drug abuse and crime,” says Lucia Winther, Bridge Publications Public Relations Officer. Bridge is publisher of the nonfiction works of author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, who carried out extensive research into the effects of drug abuse on the individual and society. He found drugs to be at the core of the dramatic decline of morality and consequent spike in crime.
“Research demonstrates that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs,” Mr. Hubbard wrote.
Prevention is the Best Weapon Against Drugs
Bridge staff volunteer with the local chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a nonprofit, international drug education program supported by the Church of Scientology and Scientologists. “Prevention is the best weapon against drugs,” says Winther. “People who understand the effects of drugs are much less likely to abuse them.”
Virginia joined Bridge volunteers as they handed some 3,000 Truth About Drugs booklets to businesses and passers-by between Atlantic Avenue and Washington Boulevard in Commerce. Businesses took sets of Truth About Drugs booklets for their customers. The manager of a local healthcare clinic that often carries out drug and alcohol testing was particularly happy to make them available to their clients.
Truth About Drugs Booklets
The Truth About Drugs booklets are part of a comprehensive drug education curriculum that covers 14 commonly abused substances, including alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy, prescription drugs and synthetic drugs. The booklets provide factual information about the short-term and long-term effects of each drug on the body and mind, as well as testimonials from former addicts who share their stories of addiction and recovery.
The booklets also include tips on how to help someone who is struggling with drug abuse, and resources for further assistance. The booklets are available in 22 languages and can be ordered online or downloaded for free from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World website.
A Safer Community
“I want to continue helping my community with this program,” said Virginia, who also took sets for the principal of her son’s school to make them available to his pupils. “This was fun and very worthwhile.”
Winther says that Bridge Publications is committed to supporting the Foundation for a Drug-Free World and its mission to create a drug-free world. “We believe that by educating people about the truth about drugs, we can help them make informed decisions and live happier and healthier lives,” she says. “And by doing so, we can also create a safer and more peaceful community for everyone.”
