Scientology Nashville Teams Up With General Hospital for Red Ribbon Week

The last week of October is Red Ribbon Week, a time to educate young people about the dangers of drugs.

The Church of Scientology Nashville in partnership with Drug-Free Tennessee and Nashville’s General Hospital held health screenings, drug prevention and education activities during Red Ribbon Week, a national initiative to promote drug prevention and awareness.

Tennessee consistently ranks in the top five US states in terms of substance abuse rates, according to a report from lakeviewhealth.com. The website further describes that despite the rise in opioid addictions, alcohol abuse statistics have remained stable, so alcohol is still the most commonly abused substance in Tennessee. In fact, more than 60 percent of patients who enter state drug treatment programs seek treatment for alcohol addiction and about 1 in 20 Tennessee residents abused or were dependent on alcohol in 2016. The website describes opioid abuse, specifically pointing out that oxycodone and hydrocodone are the most commonly abused of painkillers. Although physicians legally prescribe them, these medications often end up on the black market, which has led to a surge in drug related crimes in Tennessee. Opioid overdoses have become so widespread that the Tennessee General Assembly has permitted pharmacies to carry naloxone, a medication used to negate the effects of an opioid overdose until the patient receives professional treatment.

To protect youth from the disastrous effects of abusing these and other drugs, Scientologists and others teamed up with Drug-Free Tennessee to bring the truth about drugs to young people during Red Ribbon Week while also promoting healthy living through free health screenings of glucose, cholesterol, BMI and blood pressure.

“Not only did we get so much valuable information, we also were able to learn about our own personal health [at the workshop],” remarked Christine G., one attendee.

Red Ribbon Week is a week-long celebration at the end of October to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon has been worn as a symbol since 1985 when DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was murdered. Angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to show their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered.

For more information on the Truth About Drugs, visit drugfreeworld.org. For more information on the Church of Scientology and its programs, visit Scientology.org.

Scientology Nashville Promotes Drug Prevention Awareness with Red Ribbon Week Activities

The last week of October is Red Ribbon Week, a time to educate young people about the dangers of drugs.

Drug-Free Tennessee in partnership with the Church of Scientology Nashville is holding drug prevention and education activities during Red Ribbon Week, a national initiative to promote drug prevention and awareness.

Tennessee consistently ranks in the top five US states in terms of substance abuse rates, according to a report from lakeviewhealth.com. The website further describes that despite the rise in opioid addictions, alcohol abuse statistics have remained stable, so alcohol is still the most commonly abused substance in Tennessee. In fact, more than 60 percent of patients who enter state drug treatment programs seek treatment for alcohol addiction and about 1 in 20 Tennessee residents abused or were dependent on alcohol in 2016. The website describes opioid abuse, specifically pointing out that oxycodone and hydrocodone are the most commonly abused of painkillers. Although physicians legally prescribe them, these medications often end up on the black market, which has led to a surge in drug related crimes in Tennessee. Opioid overdoses have become so widespread that the Tennessee General Assembly has permitted pharmacies to carry naloxone, a medication used to negate the effects of an opioid overdose until the patient receives professional treatment.

To protect youth from the disastrous effects of abusing these and other drugs, Scientologists and others are teaming up with Drug-Free Tennessee to bring the truth about drugs to young people during Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week is a week-long celebration at the end of October to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon has been worn as a symbol since 1985 when DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was murdered. Angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to show their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

Volunteers will join with Drug-Free Tennessee for educational events and to distribute copies of The Truth About Drugs, a booklet that helps young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user.

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered.

For more information on the Truth About Drugs, visit drugfreeworld.org. For more information on the Church of Scientology and its programs, visit Scientology.org.

Drug-Free Tennessee Holds Red Ribbon Week Halloween-Themed Event for Kids

With Halloween falling on the last day of Red Ribbon Week, Drug-Free Tennessee thought it apt to hold a Trick-Or-Treat party with a message to kids to be safe and drug-free.

Drug-Free Tennessee in partnership with the Church of Scientology Nashville ended Red Ribbon Week with a Halloween-themed event for kids, helping to educate young people on the dangers of drugs in a fun way with a trick-or-treating kick-off party.

Tennessee consistently ranks in the top five US states in terms of substance abuse rates, according to a report from lakeviewhealth.com. The website further describes that despite the rise in opioid addictions, alcohol abuse statistics have remained stable, so alcohol is still the most commonly abused substance in Tennessee. The website describes opioid abuse, specifically pointing out that oxycodone and hydrocodone are the most commonly abused of painkillers. Although physicians legally prescribe them, these medications often end up on the black market, which has led to a surge in drug related crimes in Tennessee.

To protect youth from the disastrous effects of abusing these and other drugs, Scientologists and others teamed up with Drug-Free Tennessee to bring the truth about drugs to young people during Red Ribbon Week.

Volunteers participated in neighborhood events and health fairs leading up to a Halloween bash on the 31^st to remind kids to be safe and drug-free. They distributed copies of The Truth About Drugs, a booklet that helps young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user.

Red Ribbon Week is a week-long celebration at the end of October to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon has been worn as a symbol since 1985 when DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was murdered. Angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to show their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

“Our Halloween bash was a great way to educate children in a fun way, while also reminding them that drugs are scary,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church and regional coordinator for Drug-Free Tennessee.

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered.

For more information on the Truth About Drugs, visit drugfreetn.org. For more information on the Church of Scientology and its programs, visit Scientology-CCNashville.org. 

Nashville Scientologists Planning Drug-Free Events in Honor of Red Ribbon Week

Tennessee has a drug problem: heroin. During 2016, prescription opioid abuse was at the top of the charts, and while it continues be a problem statewide, officials have taken steps to curb the problem. While it has been slowly on the decline, according to state officials, there has been an unintended consequence. With prescription pain pills becoming harder to attain, addicts have turned to another type of opioid in heroin. According to the latest numbers from the Department of Mental Health, in 2013, the number of patients seeking treatment from state facilities for heroin abuse was 454. By 2015, that number had jumped to 839.

To protect youth from the disastrous effects of abusing this and other drugs, Scientologists and others are teaming up with Drug-Free Tennessee to bring the truth about drugs to students during Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week is a week-long celebration at the end of October to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon has been worn as a symbol since 1985 when DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was murdered. Angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to show their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

Volunteers will join with Drug-Free Tennessee for educational events and to distribute copies of The Truth About Drugs, a booklet that helps young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user.

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered.

For more information on the Truth About Drugs, visit drugfreeworld.org. For more information on the Church of Scientology and its programs, visit Scientology.org.

Church of Scientology Community News: United Nations Association to Host Ethnic Dinner and Discussion

The Nashville Church of Scientology supports the good works of others. Today’s highlight: the United Nations Association’s Ethnic Dinner and Discussion about the future of the euro.

The United Nations Association (UNA) Young Professionals Group is hosting an ethnic dinner and discussion on the “Future of the Euro.” The group feels this is a timely discussion as Croatia has just been admitted as the 28th member state of the European Union.

Senior Lecturer in Law and International Relations at Vanderbilt University, Klint Alexander, will facilitate the discussion at the event. Alexander is also President of the UNA Nashville Cordell-Hull Chapter.

The discussion will take its cues from the World Affairs Council's Great Decisions Program, which promotes citizen awareness and discussion about timely foreign policy issues. According to worldaffairscouncil.org, it is the oldest and largest grassroots educational program on world affairs of its kind in the country, with about 350,000 participants.

Those attending the event are asked to read the “Great Decisions Briefing Books,” published by the Foreign Policy Association.  New participants are invited to join the program, even if they have not yet read the book.

The event and dinner are free, but the UNA is asking that people RSVP.  The event will be held on July 23 at 7pm at Cummins Station.

The Nashville Cordell Hull Chapter was established in 1945.  According to its website, it is part of a national nonprofit, bipartisan organization that supports the work of the United Nations and encourages active civic participation in the most important social and economic issues facing the world today.  The chapter is named after native Nashvillian, US Secretary of State, “Father of the United Nations” and Nobel Peace Laureate, Cordell Hull.

For more information on the UNA Nashville Cordell-Hull Chapter or to RSVP for the event, visit una-nashville.org.