Kid falls off school roof after ingesting LSD--school implements a 'drug free world' program--parents find out it's affiliated with the Church of Scientology and quickly flip shits

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) -- Santa Monica High School canceled an anti-drug program after parents learned that it is affiliated with the church of Scientology.

The Foundation for a Drug Free World recently held three assemblies at Santa Monica High School. But the principal scrubbed the rest of the series on substance abuse prevention.

Parents were upset after they got wind the Church of Scientology sponsored the talks

"Separation of church and state. They're a religious group. I don't agree with that," parent Tracy Toth said.

The lectures were brought onto campus after a student fell off the roof in March because he was on LSD, the school said.

A district spokesperson said "Samohi Principal Dr. Antonio Shelton fully vetted this organization and felt that it would be excellent for our students."

"I think that the principal was doing what he thought was an informative program because the community has been concerned about some of these issues," said Sheila Spencer, a member of the PTA.

Families were able to opt their kids out of the assemblies.

The school said it will no longer work with the organization.

"They never stated they were from the Church of Scientology or nor did they try to recruit anybody," said 10th-grader Lea Yamashiro.

"I don't really think it changed anyone's opinion on drugs," 10th-grader Maisey McRae said.

The Church of Scientology provided the Hollywood Reporter the following statement Friday regarding the issue.

"The Church of Scientology is saddened to hear that religious discrimination would stand in the way of saving young lives. The Church is a proud sponsor of the Drug-Free World education program which has helped millions of young people to learn the truth about drugs and how to live a drug-free life. One would think that the tragic death of a student from LSD would be enough to set aside bigotry when there is evidence-based information that is invaluable, free of charge and provided out of good will and open hearts. The mother volunteering to assist Santa Monica High School with this program gave of her time freely out of her own compassion to help other parents keep their kids safe and living clean, productive lives. The Foundation for a Drug-Free World, http://www.drugfreeworld.org, provides free of charge, secular, educational materials on the danger of illicit drug use and its volunteers -- Scientologists, Catholics, Christians, Jews, Muslims and individuals of other faiths or none at all -- are heroes helping to make a better world."


I realize this is not DNM related--however--as a community we're always talking about drug abuse programs that we were forced to take while in grade school. I'm glad the parents spoke up, because you know, fuck Scientology. I am, though, kind of disappointed that that's what it takes for a school to cancel a drug program-- instead of cancelling it because the statistics show it's completely ineffective.


Comments


[153 Points] trippy_toaster:

They should sponsor a "don't fucking play on roofs" campaign instead.


[86 Points] murderhomelesspeople:

How is Scientology even able to persist? They've been caught and accused of doing so many horrible things and that's just what we know about.

Fuck Tom Cruise.


[39 Points] MenuBar:

Is it so difficult to teach the truth in that the real reasons kids use "drugs" are (1) boredom, (2) fun, (3) escapism, and (4) inclusion?

  1. BOREDOM: Kids are naturally bored and without the constant stimulation that we often deprive them of (Stop playing games and go outside, etc.) they will seek out any cheap and available entertainment they can hide from those preventing them.
  2. FUN: Anybody who has done "drugs" first and foremost will tell you they are fun. If you're not having fun, all you need to do is pop a pill, snort a line, do a few tokes, bust a vein, etc. and in a few minutes, your day is as fun as a day at Disneyland!
  3. ESCAPISM: It's human instinct to do whatever it takes to escape a bad situation. A punishing home life, bullies, educational expectations, shitty jobs, political oppression (i.e. arrested for being brown, etc.), living in a crummy part of town, any bad situation that feels inescapable can be temporarily put aside with a good buzz.
  4. INCLUSION: Everybody wants to be part of what their friends are doing. I've avoided calling this "Peer Pressure" because it is not so much "Here, smoke this or we won't be friends" as it is (9 times out of 10) more like "Can I join you guys?" The blame here lies on the individual him/herself, not outside influences.

The solution is to replace the above situations with viable alternatives. Places to meet, things to do, hobbies, constructive and creative environments, attention to individual needs, creating a feeling of safety and tolerance of mistakes, and especially removing the mystery and curiosity of "drugs" through education and understanding of the core reasons for abuse.

Years of lying, misplaced blame, misguided understanding of the social reality of being young, superstition, and radical punishment has created the opposite effect of what needs to be achieved to remove the trendiness of "drugs" and replace the fantasy with reality. Teach the truth and the fantasy becomes much less desirable.

TL/DR: This is a good topic for discussion on DNM because we are the real experts on this subject.


[24 Points] HungriestOfHippos:

"Always that same LSD story, you've all seen it. 'Young man on acid, thought he could fly, jumped out of a building. What a tragedy.' What a dick! Fuck him, he’s an idiot. If he thought he could fly, why didn’t he take off on the ground first? Check it out. You don’t see ducks lined up to catch elevators to fly south—they fly from the ground, ya moron, quit ruining it for everybody. He’s a moron, he’s dead—good, we lost a moron, fuckin’ celebrate. Wow, I just felt the world get lighter. We lost a moron!"

-Bill Hicks


[13 Points] YouPeopleAreShitbags:

I own a copy of Dianetics. The erupting volcano on the cover is the best part though. It consists almost entirely of non-sensical claims. Such as 60% of all illnesses (cancer, diabetes, etc) are psychosomatic brought on by negative thought patterns. Because the ghosts of ancient mass murdered aliens infest our bodies. Dianetics leaves that part out, of course. But the volcano on the cover is a huge indicator, I think.


[12 Points] LSDoodleBob:

Didn't die from lsd, died from the concrete he landed on. Shouldn't be a dumbass when using mind altering substances.


[6 Points] schwillynelson89:

fuck scientology and their queer hollywood worshipers


[5 Points] None:

If you think about it. Internet is the root of all problems related to drugs. Unless you happen to know a guy down your street with a makeshift lab in his "uHaul"


[2 Points] ForLol_Serious:

What is scientology exactly? Always hear about them but still have no clue what they are.


[2 Points] Amanda-Binds:

It's all good until they bust out the Scientology E-Meter or some such quackery or perhaps invent a new device to see if your kids are on drugs :(


[2 Points] droid66:

Scientology is seriously fuckin askew views on reality, all because some asshole lied to make himself out to be a war hero and then wrote some failed sci-fi books, then made a cult around one of his books (dianetics). These fucks have now disguised a sadistic, brutal cult and shrowded it in "Religious beliefs" just to make some money off some people who were in such a shitty place and these guys told them all the right things, and then brainwashed them and forced them into mostly slave labour, and even fucking made them sign a billion year contract. How fucked up is that. Bunch of cunts.


[2 Points] TurnedOnTunedIn:

This pops up on /r/lsd all the time. People are so mad at the website until they learn it's scientology. Then it just... well. Makes sense.


[2 Points] 1ugly:

Do yourselves a favor, HBO:Scientology serious-> then you will understand why "if this was a suicide case" but if not you will understand why all these protectors of scientology (being their 'religion') are saying what they are saying. FUCK scientology and fuck you all greedy fucks just because you got away with "tax free, reason:religion" putting children to work for 5c a day modafuckahs. Hope yall 'religion' is put in its place. Nothing but a bright mans idea to get out of taxes...


[1 Points] That_Fable:

Preface: these are my views and opinions on this matter, I respect the rights of those who wish to respect mine.

I don't really get everybody's anti-Scientology views. That would be like me, as a satanist, saying fuck Christianity, which is not my place. We have the right to religious freedom for a reason.

Separation of church and state is something that we always bring up, yet insist that our world leader follow God's strict guide lines. So in a sense to say that Scientology cannot back an anti-drug program within a school is like saying that schools across the nation cannot and should not participate in anything regarding religion! Which of course, will not happen.


[1 Points] allismokeisls:

Apparently dude thought he was a bird lol.


[1 Points] kilogrammes:

kiddy musta read alot about pelican, and how he flies to drop off packs and just wanted to be like his supplier. Poor boy, you're just a fucking sparrow!


[-4 Points] miki77miki:

If they weren't trying to recruit any kids and they don't even mention that they are from Scientology then I don't see the issue