Drug-Free World London Swings into Action with “Operation Street Watch: Croydon.”
Drug-Free World volunteers, along with the UK swing band The Jive Aces, hit the streets of the town of Croydon in South London, educating residents and empowering youth to swing free from drugs with the Truth About Drugs.
London’s eventful history and world-class attractions make it a top tourist destination. Yet several areas of the city struggle with drug activity, which fuels crime. The South London suburb of Croydon, for example, is home to thousands of drug addicts and alcoholics. It is no surprise that drug-related crime is widespread, with some of the highest levels of violent crime in all of London.
This is why DFW volunteers launched “Operation Street Watch: Croydon, England.” A team of DFW volunteers, alongside the high-energy British swing band and Britain’s Got Talent semifinalists The Jive Aces, swung into action on the streets.
They set up their signature DFW Mobile Exhibit on High Street, one of Croydon’s busiest hot spots, where The Jive Aces began a lively swing performance. As large crowds gathered to listen and dance, the band invited them to learn more about the dangers of drugs by visiting the exhibit.
While the band played, volunteers handed out The Truth About Drugs booklets, engaging with the people of Croydon about the drug and crime challenges facing their community.
“One lady thanked me deeply for what the team is doing. She shared that her brother had died from drugs. She was grateful someone was out there to prevent the same tragedy from happening to others.”
“One lady thanked me deeply for what the team is doing,” said a DFW volunteer. “She shared that her brother had died from drugs. She was grateful someone was out there to prevent the same tragedy from happening to others.”
Another team of volunteers moved from shop to shop, placing display boxes on counters and in windows containing The Truth About Drugs booklets. They were warmly welcomed, reflecting the strong concern of Croydon residents about drugs and crime. The owner of a laundromat, describing how drug dealers often operated around his establishment, requested numerous copies of the booklet.
By the end of the day, thousands of booklets had been distributed. But that was just the start. London volunteers will continue to keep the DFW movement swinging across Croydon to reach all residents.
FACTS
GLOBAL DRUG TRENDS
Behind the global drug crisis are stark facts. Here is what the numbers show:
316,000,000
PEOPLE
use drugs worldwide
193
TONS OF HEROIN
produced in one year
5,749
TONS OF CANNABIS
seized in one year
1,400,000
PEOPLE CONVICTED
for drug offenses
in one year
3,708
TONS OF COCAINE
produced internationally
in one year
SAVE YOUNG LIVES
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