CLEARWATER, Fla., Aug. 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over 5,000 visitors have crossed the threshold of the Church of Scientology’s stunning new buildings in downtown Clearwater since their July 11th opening. Visitors are being informed of the Church’s campaigns to positively address drug abuse, criminality and immorality. From 10 am to 10 pm, the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization has been holding the doors open to its Scientology Public Information Center, United for Human Rights Office, Foundation for a Drug Free World, The Way to Happiness, Criminon Florida, Volunteer Ministers and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights all located in the heart of downtown Clearwater.
Pat Harney, the Church’s spokesperson said, “The Church not only wants visitors to find out about our secular, worldwide programs that address these social ills but we are implementing these programs right here in Pinellas County.” The Church is addressing such statistics as: every 32 hours someone in Pinellas County dies from a drug overdose; 7,000 Pinellas County children go to bed hungry every night; and there are some 6,000 juveniles in the Pinellas County correctional facilities.
Since opening its doors on July 11th, over a dozen organizations have accepted one or more of these programs. In addition, some 1,300 inmates of Florida prisons are currently enrolled on the Criminon program aimed at restoring the offenders’ self-respect.
The six buildings that showcase and offer the Church’s secular programs are:
A museum and operations center for Citizens Commission on Human Rights, the world's leading mental health watchdog group since 1969, responsible for helping to enact some 181 laws protecting individuals from abusive or coercive psychiatric practices. Its Clearwater information center features the Psychiatry: An Industry of Death museum.
A new home for United for Human Rights, a global education initiative working to identify and protect the rights of every citizen of the world and now every resident of Pinellas County—where human rights abuses and human trafficking rank among the most severe in the United States. This headquarters promises to spearhead the fight against these unconscionable abuses.
The new local center for the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, whose international Truth About Drugs program has reached 260 million people worldwide. The program is committed to eradicating drug abuse and providing meaningful drug education to young people.
The Criminon Florida headquarters stands as a starting point in carrying out the mission of addressing the causes of criminality and restoring offenders' self-respect through effective character-building programs.
A building dedicated to The Way to Happiness, the nonreligious moral code written by L. Ron Hubbard. Published in 112 languages, the 21 precepts have brought calm to communities torn by violence, peace to areas ravaged by civil strife, and self-respect to millions. The new Clearwater office will provide the moral compass needed locally.
The new downtown home of the Church's Volunteer Ministers, part of a global movement active in 120 nations—the world's largest independent relief force. Scientologists volunteer more than 200,000 hours a year in the Tampa Bay area alone, living by the Volunteer Ministers motto that no matter the challenge, "Something can be done about it."
For photos, videos and more information log on to www.scientology.org