Italy Prevention Drive: 300 Volunteers, 500,000 “Truth About Drugs” Booklets Distributed

MILAN, Italy — 12 February 2026 — A volunteer network of around 300 people has been active since January across Italy in a prevention-through-information campaign, handing out information resources titled “Truth About Drugs”. According to organisers that the distribution has already surpassed 500,000 booklets, with Milan leading the effort and other cities increasingly involved.

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 booklets present straightforward information on substances, short- and long-term effects, and health risks.

The organisers further point to sports-community 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. Organisers argue, sport provides a natural platform for prevention conversations because it is associated with discipline, recovery and mental focus.

Ivan Arjona, the Church of Scientology’s representative to the EU, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the UN, said: “Protecting young people is a public-health priority and a civic responsibility across Europe. Clear, verified eu news italy information supports informed choice and autonomy, and it helps communities reduce the social space in which criminal networks operate.”

Full details: Scientology Europe report on Italy’s youth safeguarding outreach.