The United Nations has designated June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. For this reason, UPF Slovakia organized an event titled “The Fight Against Drugs,” which, due to scheduling constraints, took place slightly early on June 11. Three experienced speakers, Pavel Mudra, Erika Botlíková, and Lukáš Bechyně, were welcomed for this two-hour event, during which the nearly forty participants gained a wealth of information and valuable insights.
First, Pavel Mudra presented the Narconon drug prevention and rehabilitation program designed by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology. According to him, the available data shows that the success rate of the Narconon program established by the Scientology organisation is four times higher than the average by classical treatment.
Afterwards Erika Botlíková reported about her activities in Slovakia and Lukáš Bechyně talked about his work in the Czech Republic. Their activities include lectures at schools, the production and distribution of flyers and booklets in public places and organising cycling and running events to raise awareness about drug addiction.
Lukáš Bechyně represented the civic association “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life.” He was formerly an athlete specializing in the pole vault. However, when his career was interrupted by a long-term injury, he turned to drugs. Thanks to the Narconon program he overcame his addiction and started to share his experiences publicly. Over the course of 17 years, his lectures in Czech schools have been attended by more 35,000 pupils aged 10 to 15 years.
Erika Botlíková introduced the project “Slovakia Without Drugs” saying that she was honoured to speak in the Peace Embassy. Over the course of twelve years, she has delivered 1,102 presentations to 18,755 students and 1,181 teachers, in order to provide people with accurate information about drugs, their effects, and their risks, so that they are aware of dangers. Over the course of 16-years, activists of the “Slovakia Without Drugs” project have given a total of 13,181 lectures and provided preventive education to 319,138 students. While the drug situation in the Czech Republic has remained roughly the same, available data indicate a positive trend and a gradual decline in Slovakia.
At the end of the event, the participants enjoyed homemade cakes prepared by Olga Zadňančinová from the Church of Scientology. She had organized the three speakers and helped in many ways to make the event a success.