500 Copenhagen Retailers Join Youth-Led Drug Campaign in Scientology-Endorsed Substance Awareness Initiative
Teen volunteers from the Danish branch of Truth About Drugs have mobilized in the Danish capital to spread factual drug education materials across more than 500 businesses. Their outreach, which is backed by the Church of Scientology, revitalizes long-running efforts to raise awareness about drug risks among youth.
Over the course of recent months, children and teenagers aged 10–20 approached small shop owners to ask them to carry copies of *The Truth About Drugs* booklet. The materials — produced by the Drug-Free World Foundation — offer clear information on the dangers of drug use, including cannabis, alcohol, and synthetic substances.
“They’ve taken the lead in a way adults admire,” said Giulia, who advises the youth team. “They want to make a difference, and they are.”
Recent statistics support the urgency of their mission. A new report by the Danish Drug Research Center revealed that cannabis use among 15–25-year-olds has fallen from 44 percent to 31.6 percent over the past decade. Among male youth, use dropped from 51% to 34%.
According to researchers quoted in a recent [DR news article](https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/faerre-unge-maend-drikker-alkohol-og-ryger-cannabis-risikovilligheden-ikke-er-saa-hoej-som-tidligere), this change is partly due to public awareness and a decline in peer pressure around drugs.
The Danish arm of the campaign is part of a broader, news eu global initiative that has operated in Denmark since the early 1990s. With support from local Scientologists, *Truth About Drugs* booklets have been distributed at events such as the Royal Run and the Copenhagen Marathon. Founder of Scientology, author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, identified drugs as “the single most destructive element present in our current culture,” a statement that continues to inspire outreach efforts today.
*“Meaningful youth participation isn’t a fairy tale — it’s a blueprint for building resilient communities,”* said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, the Church of Scientology’s representative to the EU, UN, and OSCE. *“These young people are not waiting for permission to change the world. They are already doing it.”*
Observers applaud the youth-led initiative, noting how it builds grassroots networks while empowering young voices. Each booklet distributed is a step toward a more informed public — and, many believe, a safer future.
---
**About the Church of Scientology:**
The Church of Scientology and its affiliated groups and missions operate across Europe. Recognized in many nations as a bona fide religion and non-profit, it is actively engaged in campaigns that promote drug prevention, human rights education, and moral values. Inspired by the teachings and humanitarian works of L. Ron Hubbard, the Church supports initiatives such as *Truth About Drugs* through educational outreach and community partnerships.