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Translation of a French article posted on May 23, 2015 on the website of the Mauritius daily newspaper Le Mauricien:
LUTTE CONTRE LA TOXICOMANIE—DCP CHOOLUN BHOJOO: « La MPF a fait appel à la Foundation for a Drug Free World »
On the same subject: Lutte contre la drogue: la police mauricienne fait appel à l’Eglise de scientologie
LUTTE CONTRE LA TOXICOMANIE—DCP CHOOLUN BHOJOO: « La MPF a fait appel à la Foundation for a Drug Free World »
Deputy Commissioner of Mauritius Police says the department reached out to the Foundation for a Drug Free World
Le Mauricien
May 23, 2015
Social workers dedicated to the fight against drug abuse in Mauritius are raising alarm bells over a video that was posted several days ago on the official website of the Church of Scientology and in which Deputy Commissioner of Police Choolun Bhojoo explains that, "as part of our drug prevention policy, especially for young people, the Mauritius police reached out to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World." It is important to understand that this foundation is a tentacle offshoot that is openly supported by the Church of Scientology. The existence of this video and the information it contains rapidly spread among NGOs involved in the fight against drug abuse in Mauritius and has provoked a quick reaction. Danny Philippe, a social worker who has labored for over 30 years in this field, expressed his "worries and apprehensions regarding an organization that is very controversial throughout the world."
The video posted on the Church of Scientology's official website (http://www<dot>scientologynews<dot>org/press-releases/voice-for-humanity/fight-to-rid-mauritius-drug-plague<dot>html) lasts just over three minutes and shows Deputy Commissioner of Police Choolun Bhojoo explaining that "Young Mauritians are very vulnerable and are exposed to the dangers of various addictions. For preventive purposes, the Mauritius police established contact with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World." The video then shows scenes accompanied by a musical soundtrack and the voice of Deputy Commissioner of Police Bhojoo explaining that, "Upon receiving the materials from the Foundation, training was provided to the police force's young recruits as well as to the young Mauritians who attend educational institutions."
"We are certainly very pleased that the Mauritius police wish to be more proactive in this battle which we have been fiercely waging on the ground for three decades," says Danny Philippe, head of LEAD, an NGO, and a well-known social worker in this field. "However, what worries us is the choice of the Foundation for a Drug Free World, which is affiliated with the Church of Scientology!" He goes on to say: "Throughout the entire world, it has a dubious reputation and is very, very controversial! What prompted the Mauritius Police Force to turn to the Church of Scientology, when we already have, here in Mauritius, organizations like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which is doing its job?" Moreover, says Philippe: "Without meaning to flatter ourselves, we are teams of social workers, with people like Cadress Rungen at Group A in Cassis, Imran Dhanoo at the Idrice Goomany Centre in Plaine-Verte, or the Toxida Emergency Collective (CUT), among others, who have proven themselves in Mauritius."
In the social worker's opinion: "The Mauritius police's decision to call upon the Church of Scientology, in addition to disavowing our work and our expertise, also denotes a serious lack of judgment. Meanwhile, we know through the international news how much damage this church has caused to both celebrities and ordinary people."
Danny Philippe hopes that "measures will be taken to ensure that the Church of Scientology cannot extend its tentacles into our fragile Mauritian society and, especially, that our young people, whose minds are the most malleable, don't become potential prey ... " The social worker adds: "This matter should be of very high concern to Mauritian religious dignitaries. For our part, we will bring this whole affair to the attention of the Council of Religions, and we hope that light will be shed upon this quite disturbing action by the Mauritius police."
In France, the Church of Scientology France has been classified as a cult in several parliamentary reports, but it is considered a religion in the United States and in certain European countries such as Spain, Italy, Holland, and Sweden. Founded by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, it claims 12 million followers worldwide. Actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta are among the most widely known.
On the same subject: Lutte contre la drogue: la police mauricienne fait appel à l’Eglise de scientologie