Foundation for a Drug-Free World

Foundation for a Drug-Free World (FDFW) is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California, with a focus on the elimination of drug and alcohol abuse and its resulting criminality. Founded in October 2006, it is a division of the Church of Scientology. There has been controversy about the claims made by the foundation and about its support by public organizations who were not aware of its link to Scientology.[1][2][3][4] The Foundation uses the self-produced Truth About Drugs campaign materials for drug education and has been described as "discredited pseudoscience"[5] and without "pharmacological basis" by health care professionals.[4][6] The program has been accused of scaremongering by health care professionals, for claims such as cocaine withdrawal can cause severe depression which can lead to the addict committing murder.[1]

FoundedOctober 2006 (2006-10)
TypeNon-profit (religious)
20-5812172
FocusDrug abuse prevention
Location
OriginsChurch of Scientology
Area served
Worldwide
MethodAnti-drug booklets, public service announcements, drug awareness events
Members
Unknown
Key people
  • Gail Carroll
  • Aris Gregorian
  • Maurithus Meiring
  • Shaleen Wohrnitz
Revenue
Unknown
ExpensesUnknown
EndowmentUnknown
Employees
Unknown
Volunteers
Unknown
Websitewww.drugfreeworld.org

Relation to Scientology and Narconon

In 2012, the police department of Santa Ana distributed anti-drug pamphlets provided by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. A reporter called the contact number on the pamphlets and asked where to get help for drug abuse. He was directed to Narconon Arrowhead, the flagship rehab centre of Narconon International, which is classified as a Scientology related entity by the IRS. The SAPD withdrew the pamphlets after the reported link.[7]

The "Drug-Free Marshal" program started in November, 2008, at Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Foundation for a Drug-Free World supplied the pamphlets, at the bottom of which contained a notice of copyright by Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Narconon and Association for Better Living and Education, all programs sponsored by the Church of Scientology. After the city mayor found out that the anti-drug program was created and bankrolled by the Church of Scientology, he apologized and ended the program.[8]

After an investigation by the State of California into the Narconon anti-drug education program, State Superintendent Jack O'Connell urged all California schools to drop the program for its inaccurate and unscientific information[9] in 2005, the year before the Foundation for a Drug-Free World was founded.

In 2017 in Santa Monica High School after a pupil's LSD related death, the foundation presented seminars to pupils in school but when made aware of the connection to the Church of Scientology a number of parents complained and the program was halted. The church responded publicly in a press statement and accused Santa Monica High School of bigotry and religious discrimination.[1]

References
  1. Weill, Kelly (2017-05-14). "School Accidentally Hired Church of Scientology-Backed Group to Teach Drug Education". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 2017-05-17. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  2. Daly, Greg. "Schools urged to be vigilant amid reports of targeting by 'cult'". The Irish Catholic. Archived from the original on 2017-04-04. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  3. Haglage, Abby (2015-01-30). "Scientology Defends Its Anti-Weed Hokum". Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 2017-04-16. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  4. Mintz, Zoe (2015-01-29). "Parents Outraged After Scientology-Sponsored Group Delivers Anti-Drug Messages At New York City Schools". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 2017-04-16. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  5. Mathis-Lilley, Ben (2015-01-28). "A Scientology-Run Anti-Drug Group Works Extensively in New York City Schools". The Slate. Archived from the original on 2017-04-16. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  6. "What is the Foundation for a Drug Free World?". January 0001. Archived from the original on 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
  7. Dulaney, Josh (2012-05-16). "Anti-drug Pamphlets Linked to Scientology Gone From Santa Ana Police Department". Orange County Weekly. Archived from the original on 2018-10-14. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  8. "Mayor abandons anti-drug program affiliated with Church of Scientology". 2008-12-08. Archived from the original on 2017-03-25. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  9. Asimov, Nanette (2005-02-23). "Schools Urged to Drop Antidrug Program / Scientology-linked Teachings Inaccurate, Superintendent Says". SFGate. Archived from the original on 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
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