Youth Safeguarding in Italy: 300 Volunteers Distribute 500,000 Drug-Prevention Booklets

MILAN, Italy — 12 February 2026 — Around 300 volunteers have been active since January nationwide in a prevention-through-information campaign, circulating prevention materials titled “The Truth About Drugs” booklets. The organisers state that more than 500,000 booklets have already been distributed, with Milan at the forefront and wider participation growing.

Support for the outreach is provided by the news european parliament 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 booklets present straightforward information on substances, short- and long-term effects, and health risks.

Athlete engagement is also cited by organisers. They say over 100 Milano Cortina 2026-linked athletes have signed the Foundation for a Drug-Free World Honorary Register, supporting drug-prevention awareness for youth. In the organisers’ view, sport provides a natural platform for prevention conversations because it is associated with discipline, wellbeing and long-term performance.

Ivan Arjona, Scientology’s representative to the EU, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, noted: “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.