Drug abuse has disastrous effects on our children and community. It is so far reaching that few families haven't been touch by this terrible menace. This is not just a community or state-wide problem but is an international scourge.

The State of Colorado Task Force on Methamphetamine's first annual report states, "Methamphetamine use in Colorado has increased two to three percent higher than the national average among ages 18-25." Marking the United Nations' International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, communities all over the world are standing up against the threat of drug abuse.

The slogan of the UN's international drug awareness campaign states, "Your life. Your community. No place for drugs." With rising drug abuse and illicit trafficking, a grass-roots stand against drug abuse is taking place in towns and communities all over the world.

On the 4th of July, Englewood Drug Free Marshal's, sponsored by the Church of Scientology, took a pledge to be drug free reconfirming that there is no place for drugs in our community. The youth pledged to help their family and friends be drug free and to learn more about how drugs really harm people. "Pledging to be drug free is the first step," said Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life, Coordinator Joe Banks, "And education about drugs and what they do to your body, mind and spirit helps people to further decide not to do drugs."

The new Drug Free Marshals met with Officer Tim Mitchell and 2 of his fellow officers of the Englewood Police Department, on the 4th of July to take the pledge to be drug free. Repeating each part of the pledge, the local youth have already started setting a good example for their friends and all children in Englewood.

In the last decade, as part of the "Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life" campaign, Scientology churches worldwide have printed and distributed more than 8.3 million informational brochures laying out the facts about drugs. The educational effort has also included more than 280,000 drug awareness billboards and posters, 48 million fliers, 89,000 public awareness events, and 10,200 newspaper and television stories promoting drug-free living. To date more than 3.2 million people have signed the pledge for drug-free living - a figure the Churches' stepped-up efforts are vastly expanding in 2007.

To learn more about these anti-drug activities and the "Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life" campaign, contact Susan Gaut, Public Affairs Coordinator, Church of Scientology of Colorado, (303) 789-7668.