Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Police Chief Phillip Sanchez and John Redman, executive director of Californians for Drug Free Youth – CADFY – and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas – HIDTA – were among the community and government leaders who took part in the Oct. 1 anti-drug forum sponsored by The Foundation for a Drug Free World and hosted by the Church of Scientology of Pasadena.

The topic of the symposium was the effectiveness of drug education as an effective weapon in the war on drugs.

“There are so many factors impinging on young people today facilitating the improper use of drugs and alcohol,” said the mayor. “The effort for education and information for combating those activities and those circumstances is all the more important because of that.”

Workability is the reason Redman implemented the curriculum developed by The Foundation For a Drug Free World in a pilot program in Mexicali, Mexico.

“Our partnership with the Foundation has changed everything,” said Redman. “The materials are unmatched, and I don’t say that flippantly because I have probably seen everything that has come along in drug education. These materials connect, they are interesting to the kids, and they are designed for youth and fun to work with. I’ve seen them in action and they work.”

Sanchez stressed that the community cannot “enforce” its way out of the challenges that are generated by illegal narcotics use. Educating young people about the consequences associated with illegal drug use, teaching them effective judgment skills, and developing contemporary drug treatment programs are vital in combating this problem.

“The U.S. government spent more than $15 billion on the war on drugs in 2010,” said Eden Stein, president of the Church of Scientology of Pasadena. “If more were spent on prevention, we could crack this problem … All you have to do is talk to the kids after they watch the Foundation for a Drug-Free World documentary  to know this is something we can win if we all work together.”

Submitted by Church of Scientology, Pasadena