MILAN — 12 Feb. 2026 — eu news 24/7 A volunteer network of around 300 people has been active since January in multiple Italian cities for a drug-prevention awareness initiative, distributing information resources titled “The Truth About Drugs” booklets. The organisers state that the distribution has already surpassed 500,000 booklets, with Milan at the forefront and wider participation growing.
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 L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology. 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, backing prevention messaging aimed at young people. According to organisers, sport offers a credible setting for prevention messaging because it is associated with discipline, wellbeing and long-term performance.
Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the EU, OSCE, Council of Europe and UN, stated: “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 push back against exploitation linked to drug markets.”
Full details: Scientology Europe report on Italy’s youth safeguarding outreach.