The Drug-Free Marshals from the Church of Scientology Los Angeles pledged in hundreds of youth last Saturday to live a drug-free life in honor of the 21st celebration of Red Ribbon Week commemorating DEA (Drug Enforcement Agent) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.
Camarena was an 11-year DEA agent working under cover in Mexico on the way to breaking up a multi-billion-drug pipeline but in 1985 he was caught, tortured and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His death was an eye opener to the danger of drugs and the widespread dangers of the drug trade. In 1988, President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan along with the National Family Partnership coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week.
The new Drug-Free Marshal’s and their parents armed themselves with The Truth About Drugs booklets, which educate by telling what harm drugs actually do. The booklets are published by The Foundation for a Drug-Free World along with 12 other booklets that inform on the most commonly used drugs, i.e. marijuana, alcohol, heroin, crystal meth, prescription drugs, inhalants and painkillers. Thousand of these were given out to youth and parents so they could learn the dangers of these drugs.
“We need to educate our children regarding drug and alcohol abuse. Drugs are a large part of our children’s lives from school, television, or movies so if we don’t tell them the truth, you can be sure that the drug-dealers are selling them their lies. By early intervention we can prevent drug abuse, which also leads to violence,” said Edie Reuveni, President of the Church of Scientology Los Angeles. “Studies show a direct link between youth involvement in drugs and gang violence. As humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard said ‘When children become unimportant to a society, that society has forfeited its future’ so unless we educate them and take responsibility for them we all lose.”
The Drug-Free Marshal’s program, sponsored by the Church, was started in Los Angeles in 1993. Since that time more than 5 million youth worldwide have pledged to be drug-free and to help family and friends do likewise.
For more information about Drug-Free Marshals visit www.drugfreemarshals.org or call 323-953-3200.
Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~
