Community group tackles drug abuse in Trafford

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Tackling Drug Abuse in Trafford

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MANCHESTER, UK—Volunteers from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World in the North West took their drug-free message to the streets on Sunday afternoon as they distributed free booklets, entitled 'The Truth About Drugs' to hundreds of shoppers around Stretford Mall, Trafford, in an effort to raise awareness of drugs and their effects.

“I spoke to one group—there were three lads—one of them was on weed, the second wasn't sure about it and the other one was dead against it,” said Graham, one of the volunteers. “When they realised I was giving them information so they could make their own decisions, they all respected it and each of them took a booklet.”

With drug abuse an acknowledged problem in the area, local residents were clear in their support for the volunteers' actions: “It's wonderful to see people doing something to take on the drug problem here,” said Jan from Stretford. “But I also think celebrities have a lot to answer for in the way they act—they should be setting a better example.”

The Foundation's booklets provide broad information on a range of street drugs, including cannabis, heroin and cocaine—which is now available on the illicit market for less than the cost of coffee.

The organisers considered the day a success: “We've had a great day, we reached hundreds of people of all ages with no-nonsense information about drugs, and met some interesting people; the public were very receptive.”

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is supported by the Church of Scientology as part of its community initiative. More information is available from the website www.drugfreeworld.org.