Scientologists Run for a Drug-Free Future in Lugano

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Say No to Drugs, Yes to Running: Scientologists Join Record-Breaking Stralugano to Promote a Healthy, Drug-Free Lifestyle

In a record-breaking edition of the Stralugano marathon, volunteers from the association Dico No alla Droga, inspired by the humanitarian teachings of L. Ron Hubbard and supported by the Church of Scientology, joined thousands of runners to promote healthy living and drug-free values. Their participation in the Run 4 Charity section turned sport into a message of prevention and social responsibility, highlighting how community action and education can help build a safer, more resilient Europe.

Say No to Drugs, Yes to Running: Scientologists Join Record-Breaking Stralugano to Promote a Healthy, Drug-Free Lifestyle

Lugano, Switzerland. This year’s Stralugano — one of Switzerland’s most beloved sporting events — achieved record participation, uniting thousands of runners from across the region under the banner of community spirit and personal achievement. Among the participants was the humanitarian association Dico No alla Droga, which took part in the Run 4 Charity section to reaffirm a message that resonates deeply in today’s society: sport and positive values are powerful alternatives to drug use.

The group, composed of volunteers, friends, and supporters, joined the event to show that prevention and awareness can also be built through action, unity, and enthusiasm. “We brought our members, friends, and sympathizers to run with us — a symbolic yet meaningful gesture to emphasize our message,” said representatives of Dico No alla Droga. “We believe that sport offers a real and constructive alternative to the so-called ‘high’ of drugs, promoting health, energy, and solidarity.”

Among the runners was Simone Leo, an internationally recognized ultramarathoner known for combining endurance with purpose. “Running gives people a natural and lasting sense of accomplishment,” he said. “When you push yourself to the limit and cross a finish line, the reward is authentic. That’s something no drug can ever replace.”

A Humanitarian Movement with a Global Reach

Dico No alla Droga (Say No to Drugs) is part of the international Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a non-profit organization supported by members of the Church of Scientology. Founded on the humanitarian principles set forth by L. Ron Hubbard, the Church’s social campaigns are rooted in the conviction that education — not repression — is the most effective form of prevention.

Mr Hubbard wrote that “the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs,” emphasizing that only through accurate information can people make informed, life-affirming choices. Following this principle, the campaign provides free educational materials, booklets, and audiovisual resources to schools, youth groups, and public institutions. Volunteers organize information stands, lectures, and events like this one, inspiring people to choose life, health, and responsibility.

Across Europe, thousands of volunteers have joined this movement in over 100 European groups, often combining their personal passions — from athletics to the arts — with public awareness initiatives. In doing so, they illustrate a key idea behind the campaign: that personal discipline and self-respect, fostered by activities like sports, are natural shields against addiction and despair.

The participation of Dico No alla Droga in the Stralugano is more than a gesture of solidarity; it reflects a proactive model of prevention that engages rather than isolates. By bringing together families, athletes, and citizens around a shared cause, such initiatives strengthen community bonds while giving visibility to a message of hope and self-empowerment.

The group’s local coordinator explained that, “Our goal is not to moralize, but to inform. We want young people to understand what drugs really do, and to know that they have choices — choices that lead to a better, freer life.”

Events like Stralugano offer a visible, positive setting for that message to take root, where the spirit of competition merges with compassion and civic responsibility.

A Message Resonating with European Values

Ivan Arjona-Pelado, the Church of Scientology’s representative to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations, praised the initiative, stating:

“What we see in Lugano is not just a local campaign but a reflection of a broader European principle — that human dignity is strengthened when people are empowered with knowledge and purpose. The Church of Scientology’s volunteers show that prevention, education, and community engagement can transform lives very effectively. This is the essence of social responsibility in action.”

Created under the inspiration of L. Ron Hubbard and propelled forward by Scientology’s ecclesiastical leader, Mr David Miscavige, with a visionary drive to elevate standards to cutting-edge excellence, the “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life” campaign has reached hundreds of millions of people in more than 180 countries. Through its educational booklets — translated into dozens of languages — and the widely distributed Truth About Drugs series, the campaign equips youth with factual information about the short- and long-term effects of the most commonly abused substances. The program has earned endorsements from educators, law-enforcement professionals, and community leaders for its effective, non-confrontational approach to prevention.

The Church of Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard, is dedicated to advancing the betterment of humanity through education, ethics, and humanitarian action. Across the European continent, Scientology Churches, missions, and affiliated groups carry out a wide range of community programs addressing human rights education, drug prevention, moral literacy, and disaster relief. Its recognition as a charitable and bona fide religion continues to grow throughout Europe, with national courts and public institutions acknowledging the Church’s social contribution and commitment to civic values.