Maiden Voyage

A friend of mine just got back from the Freewinds motor vessel where the 18th anniversary of the Maiden Voyage of the ship just took place.

Scientologists know this ship is no ordinary cruise ship. Here's how it is described in the Scientology Theology web site: The Freewinds serves as the ideal religious retreat where parishioners may devote their full attention to spiritual advancement in a complete Scientology environment.

My friend told me that David Miscavige, who always acts as master of ceremonies for the events, presented some utterly incredible news about Scientology expansion.

I always love Mr. Miscavige's briefings and I really like the fact that these events are made available to Scientologists who don't get to go to the ship. As a matter of fact, there will be four events this year, from what I've heard, and the first one will be on July 8th for most churches, but July 1st for the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles (where I will be attending).

Scientology Anti Drug Activities in South Africa

I love the story I just read about the work of the Drug Free Marshals in South Africa. Drug Free Marshals is a group founded 13 years ago by the Church of Scientology International and there are now chapters all over the world at Scientology churches.

In South Africa, marijuana, which they call "dagga," is a very serious problem and educating youth about the dangers of taking drugs is so important.

When Mr. David Miscavige, (Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center) attended the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg, he was very clear about the importance of this church in improving conditions in all of Africa, and the Scientologists in this church have really taken this to heart.

Second Study in Less Than Two Months Shows Fivefold Increase in Negligent Use of Antipsychotic Drugs.

The Vancouver chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights put out a press release yesterday that deserves to be read.

What they state is that:

A second study in less than two months has lifted the curtain on the highly lucrative psychiatric practice of the massive prescribing of potent antipsychotic drugs known to cause a plethora of life-threatening side effects.

An alarming new study from Columbia University found that prescriptions for antipsychotic prescriptions leaped more than fivefold from 1993 to 2002. Although little to no data exists on long-term effects of these deadly drugs, the total amount of prescriptions jumped from 201,000 in 1995 to 1,224,000 in 2002.

A recent analysis taking FDA data collection from 2000-2004 exposed antipsychotics for causing deaths in up to an estimated 450 children and 1,328 reports of adverse side effects, some life-threatening. These include but are not limited to tremors, involuntary severe muscle contractions, writhing, painful muscle spasms, irregular blood pressure and cardiac problems. Yet antipsychotics are dolled out like candy to even preschoolers. >> more

I am outraged by the irresponsibility of the psychiatric community that betrays public trust by throwing its "authority" behind pharmaceutical industry hype that convinces parents to use these drugs on their children.

While there is general agreement that drugs are bad, somehow we have bought the idea that these drugs are "different."

Say No to Drugs

I was reading through the web site of the Scientology Anti-Drug Campaign today and was impressed by the work they are doing.

The way they site describes the program is:

“Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life” is a community drug education and drug prevention program initiated by the Church of Scientology International. It educates youth and adults about the facts of drugs so they can make informed choices to remain drug-free.

The program acts through clubs by and for young people. These clubs reinforce a positive message of drug-free living through the distribution of educational literature that provides facts about illicit drug use and the effects of drugs on the spirit, mind and body, through group activities to popularize drug-free living, and through the support of civic leaders and members of other groups with similar aims.

Experience has taught us that people in general, and youth in particular, when they understand the destructive effects of drugs, and when they are provided with activities to interact with positive role models, and when they have the support of their peers to remain drug free, they inevitably come to the conclusion: “I don’t want to take drugs” —which is of course the ultimate purpose of the program.

Most kids just don't understand what they risk by getting involved in drugs, and a lot of the parents I know have so much trouble talking to their kids to begin with, they are a bit overwhelmed at the idea of taking up something like this with one of their kids.

That's where these booklets can really help. Because the Church has been involved in drug education for many years, they know what's effective, and they put together booklets on the various drugs kids are most likely to be exposed to, and present the information in a way that kids can understand.

Anyone can download one of the booklets and give it to their kids.

The Church also provides lectures and other activities to help get through to kids on the subject, and anyone wanting to find out more can contact a Scientology church for information. Here's a web site where you can find all the Scientology churches and their contact information.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Java

The Volunteer Ministers are continuing their disaster relief work in Java. Here is a recent article about what they are doing, from the Scientology Volunteer Ministers web site.

Kelly Preston Launches Anti-Drug DVD kit for Parents

Kelly Preston who is a native of Hawaii has been there promoting a new DVD that educates families on the dangers of drugs.



She was there with Lt. Governor Aiona to announce the release of Narconon Hawai`i's "Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free" DVD kit for parents. This is a free kit that provides information about drugs that will make you confident to talk with your loved ones about the dangers of drugs.



Narconon can be visited at www.narconon.org
and the Hawaii drug free education site at http://www.drug-free-kids.org/

DIANETICS RACING TEAM TO JOIN NASCAR CIRCUIT

A Dianetics race team has joined NASCAR
Unveiled on May 19^th at the Book Expo America (BEA) in Washington, D.C., is the new "Ignite Your Potential" Dianetics Racing Team, headed by Kenton Gray, founder of Freedom Motorsports Group, Inc., and a top performing Southern California racecar driver.

He's following in the tradition of the Dianetics Car that won the 24hr Le Mans race years ago. Go Kenton!

US National Winner of Human Rights Hero Awards

In May there was a presentation to winners of "US National Winner of Human Rights Hero Awards"

A ceremony to honor four national winners of the first Human Rights Heroes Award drew a standing room crowd — from legislators to human rights and religious leaders and teenager advocates — at the Rayburn Congressional Building on Capitol Hill on the night of May 23rd, 2006.

Disaster Relief -Help Needed in Java

I'm passing on a message from the Scientology Volunteer Ministers web site:

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Relief in Java

The first teams of Volunteer Ministers have arrived in Java to help in the aftermath of this week's earthquake, which left more than 5,000 dead and over 20,000 injured.

The driving rain is not only hampering the efforts of relief workers who are trying to provide essential services to the survivors, it is forcing some of the estimated 130,000 people who were left homeless by the disaster to return to their houses in search of shelter despite the threat of further building collapses.

Teams of Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Medan, Indonesia, and from the Church of Scientology of Perth have arrived in the disaster area. Another team is en route from the Church of Scientology of Sydney. Churches of Scientology in Milano, Tokyo, the United Kingdom and the USA are now forming up teams.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Relief Teams will train anyone who wishes to join them and help in this effort. To learn more about how you can help, contact:

Australia, New Zealand and Oceania Coordinator, Virginia Stewart at: virginias@scientology.net

US Coordinator Aenetta at, ihelpwestus@ihelp.org

UK Coordinator: Ann Rollins at, ihelpuk@ihelp.org

South East Asia Coordinator, Angel Wijayanto at: seasiaproject@scientology.net

I heard that the Church of Scientology of New York is also working on putting together a team as well.