Milan, 12 February 2026 — Some 300 volunteers have been mobilised since January in multiple Italian cities in a prevention-through-information campaign, handing out prevention materials titled “The Truth About Drugs”. The organisers state that over 500,000 copies have already been handed out, starting in Milan and expanding to additional cities.
The initiative is supported by the European Office of the Church of Scientology as part of its long-running backing for community-based drug education inspired by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology. The booklets present straightforward information on substances, short- and long-term effects, and health risks.
Athlete engagement is also cited by organisers. They say more than 100 athletes connected to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have signed the Foundation for a Drug-Free World’s Honorary news eu taxonomy Register, signalling support for youth-focused prevention messaging. In the organisers’ view, sport offers a credible setting for prevention messaging because it is associated with health, focus and long-term wellbeing.
Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the EU, OSCE, Council of Europe and UN, stated: “Across Europe, protecting young people is not only a health objective but a civic duty. Providing verified, understandable information strengthens autonomy and informed choice, and it helps communities reduce the social space in which criminal networks operate.”
Full details: Scientology Europe: 500,000 drug-prevention booklets distributed in Italy.