By the time they reach the age of 17, some 50 percent of young people in America try illegal drugs. The Drug-Free Marshals, a program that mobilizes schoolchildren to combat drug abuse, wants to change this. Top members of the New York chapter of this group were honored at a ceremony at the Church of Scientology of New York, held in commemoration of this year's UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
 | Drug-Free Marshals honored at an event held at the Church of Scientology of New York in commemoration of the UN Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. |
The Church of Scientology International launched the Drug-Free Marshals in 1993 in California. Since then, chapters have opened in cities all over the U.S. and throughout the world. The program reaches children with factual information about drugs before they experiment with harmful substances, and encourages them to pledge to stay drug free and help their families and friends do so as well.
The New York Drug-Free Marshals are serious about this job. In fact, they participated in over 60 events in the last year alone. Ten of these Marshals, from the Bronx, Harlem, Manhattan, and New Jersey, were honored at the event.
The audience honored these young people for their exceptional contribution, and then stood, raised their right hands and repeated the Drug-Free Marshal's pledge.
"The Church of Scientology of New York was proud to participate in this celebration of the UN Day Against Drugs," said Rev. John Carmichael, President of the Church of Scientology of New York. "It's vital to help children and teens avoid the scourge of drugs and these Drug-Free Marshals are doing a great job to help their friends and families."
Meghan Fialkoff, coordinator of the Drug-Free Marshals New York chapter, said one of the main elements of the program is the Drug-Free Pledge. Over 5 million young people around the world have taken this oath in the past 15 years. The program empowers students to make smart choices about drugs. "We really wanted to recognize these young people," said Ms. Fialkoff. "They are stellar examples to the youth of our community."
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