A study published in a recent edition of the Medical Journal of Australia reporting that some 60 percent of Aborigines are chronic marijuana users brings home the urgency of this week's launch of Communities Helping Communities—a grassroots collaboration of community leaders from the Northern Territories and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Outback Goodwill Tour.

The study conducted at James Cook University points out that the social impact of this level of drug use includes escalating levels of violence and unemployment among users.

Recognizing the necessity of attacking the underlying cause of these problems, the Volunteer Ministers are conducting free courses and workshops, based on the Scientology Handbook, in literacy; job, communication and relationship skills and character education. They are also providing drug education classes, which include technology developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard that anyone can use to help a family member or friend withdraw from drugs.

This weekend's event in Smith St. Mall in Darwin launched the initiative. Richard Fejo of the Larrakia Nation Governing Council introduced the program with a traditional "Welcome to Country" greeting from the Larrakia people. One Mob–Different Country echoed this salute with a traditional dance performance. Speedy McGuiness of the Indigenous Human Rights Congress and Darwin Aldermen Dorothy Fox joined them in welcoming the program to the region.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Outback Goodwill Tour is part of a program sponsored by the International Association of Scientologists to take real help into communities throughout the world. Their motto is Something CAN Be Done About It.

For more information, contact 0406 342 669, email outbackgwt@bigpond.com or visit the Volunteer Ministers web site at www.volunteerministers.org.