No to Drugs, Yes to Life: A Wave of Prevention Sweeps Through France

France, July 23, 2025 — In a powerful display of citizen-led prevention, volunteers across France mobilized last weekend under the global initiative “The Truth About Drugs”, distributing more than 19,000 drug education booklets to communities from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Lyon, Murol to Le Touquet.

This grassroots campaign is part of the worldwide “Drug-Free World” program, inspired by the humanitarian works of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, who identified drug abuse as a major barrier to social progress. As he stated: “Research has demonstrated that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs.” His insights form the philosophical cornerstone of a movement now reaching tens of millions across more than 180 countries.

A Weekend of Action Across France

The Southwest France team spearheaded the effort, with targeted outreach in cities, seaside resorts, and village centers. Among the highlights:

Murol and Chambon (19 July): booklets were placed in 34 stores. One artisan, long supportive of the campaign, took 60 copies for her shop, praising the consistency and dedication of the volunteers.
Lyon (20 July): booklets were welcomed in 8 key locations near the bustling Westfield shopping center, catching the attention of younger shopkeepers previously unaware of the initiative.
Northern France (20 July): In Berck-Ville, Berck-Plage, and Le Touquet, the team celebrated a record-breaking 13,000 booklets distributed to 162 businesses—many of which eagerly made space to display the materials. A total of 126 display points now carry the materials across the region.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz (19 July): Over 4,180 booklets were delivered through shops and a street stand. The day yielded 49 official validations, 14 anti-drug ambassador pledges, and 8 interactive course completions using distortion goggles that simulate the effects of drug use.

Stories of Impact and Inspiration

The campaign isn’t just numbers—it’s changing lives. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a woman running a children’s art workshop took dozens of booklets, enthusiastically offering to connect the team with the authorities to set up a stand at the popular Night Festivals in the Basque region.

In another case, a primary school facilitator—concerned by the lack of drug education in her daughter’s school—showed interest on helping the campaign arrive into middle schools both locally and in her hometown of Marseille, where she described a devastating rise in drug use compared to her youth.

Even everyday citizens took part: a retiree grabbed the booklets about the negative effects of cannabis for a neighbor, while a mother and her teenage son visited the stand to learn together. Some high school students from Seine-Saint-Denis (department 93) took materials to help a friend, showing that prevention is becoming peer-led.

A European and Global Movement

The Drug-Free World campaign has reached more than 200 million people globally, providing educational booklets, online courses, and public service announcements free of charge. The initiative, coordinated internationally by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, partners with teachers, law enforcement, community leaders, and concerned citizens.

In Europe, the drug situation remains alarming. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), France ranks among the top European countries for cannabis use, especially among adolescents. A 2023 report revealed that 21% of French 15-16-year-olds admitted to using cannabis in the past year—well above the European average.

In response, campaigns like this one are stepping in to fill gaps left by overwhelmed public systems. As Ivan Arjona Pelado, President of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights, affirms:

“We can’t win the battle against drug abuse by punishing alone. Education is our best weapon. That’s why many Scientologists and concerned citizens across Europe dedicate their time and energy to prevention. We bring facts. We inspire change. And we say, without apology: No to drugs, YES TO LIFE.”

With continued public engagement and growing support from local communities, this campaign is not only spreading awareness but empowering a new generation to make informed choices—and to help others do the same.