The Church of Scientology International European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights is calling on non-governmental organizations and other concerned sectors of society to work in full cooperation with governments to combat illicit drug use.

“By working together we can maximize our effectiveness in the fight against illicit drugs,” said Fabio Amicarelli, the office’s public affairs director. “We support the Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe and urge any individual or group who shares our concerns to join the Foundation.”

Last month, Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) pointed out how essential NGOs are in the fight against illicit drugs. At the UNODC Forum in Lithuania Mr. Costa spoke of the growing problem of Afghan heroin in Europe where the number of heroin addicts and HIV/AIDS victims are increasing rapidly.

According to Mr. Amicarelli, “Factual information is our best weapon in this war and providing young people with the truth about drugs arms them against pro-drug propaganda and peer pressure.”

Scientology churches have distributed more than eight million copies of drug education booklets, and the Church of Scientology International has made copies of these booklets available online at www.drugsalvage.org.