Drugs Never Take a Holiday!
2007 Anti-Drug Marathon

Den Haag, Brussels - 26-31 July 2007

Starting on 26 July 2007, a relay marathon of volunteer runners from Holland, Belgium and other countries travel approximately 180 km from Den Haag, Netherlands to Brussels, Belgium, to show that even during holidays we cannot forget to help children to keep off drugs.

Public events along the route were designed to bring the message of Preventative Education during the holidays to concerned parents, government officials, religious leaders and ultimately to the youth themselves. All along the route the runners distributed booklets and flyers to help parents to communicate better to their children the truth about drugs and alcohol, what signs to look for if their child is abusing drugs, and information on recovery and rehabilitation.

Some of the runners are actual graduates of the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation program, and can give first-hand their experiences, including the increasing availability and temptation of drugs during the holiday season.

At this time of year, most parents are happy to take holidays with their children, or think nothing of sending their children off on holidays, as they too might have done in their youth. The parents believe the children will be safe, and in the majority of situations, they are. However, exposure to drugs and alcohol typically increase at these holiday locations, potentially putting children at risk.

The runners took time off from their own holiday to raise awareness of this issue, simply put that “Drugs Never Take a Holiday”. This is how dedicated and passionate they are for a Drug-Free Europe. Their goals are to increase education as to the “Truth About Drugs” to all the people in their native Holland and Belgium, but especially children, parents and educators, and to increase the availability of workable drug-rehabilitation techniques to fully salvage people currently caught in the vicious hold of addictive drugs.

This Marathon is coordinated by the Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe (FDFE), a partner NGO of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime. The FDFE was founded with the purpose of uniting and coordinating the efforts of members of civil society involved with the fight against drugs. The event is supported by the Church of Scientology and Narconon Zupthen.

MARATHON ITINERARY:

Thu 26
Den Haag to Rotterdam
Fri  27
Rotterdam to Breda
Sat 28
Breda to Belgium Border
Sun  29
Netherlands/Belgium
Border to Antwerpen
Mon 30
Antwerpen to Mechelen
Tues 31
Mechelen to Brussels

The marathon team was received in Brussels on Monday, 30 July, at a Summer Reception hosted by the Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe in Brussels with Diplomats and concerned officials and NGOs.