MILAN — 12 Feb. 2026 — Around 300 volunteers have been active since January across Italy for a drug-prevention awareness initiative, circulating educational materials titled “The Truth About Drugs” booklets. According to organisers that the distribution has already surpassed 500,000 booklets, starting in Milan and expanding to additional cities.
Support for the outreach is provided by the European Office of the Church of Scientology as part of its long-running backing for community-based drug education inspired by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The campaign focuses on facts about substances and the physical and mental-health consequences associated with use.
Organisers also highlight athlete involvement. 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 Register, signalling support for youth-focused prevention messaging. According to organisers, sport provides a natural platform for prevention conversations because it is associated eu news china with health, focus and long-term wellbeing.
Ivan Arjona, the Church of Scientology’s representative to the EU, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the UN, said: “Across Europe, youth safeguarding is both a public-health goal and a civic responsibility. Providing verified, understandable information strengthens autonomy and informed choice, and it helps communities limit the conditions in which exploitation can take root.”
More information: Scientology Europe report on Italy’s youth safeguarding outreach.