 Saint Hill hosts Band Nite No. 5!
This Christmas saw the fifth Say No To Drugs Band Nite at Saint Hill Manor, home of the Church of Scientology®, and the religion’s founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Band Nites serve the purpose of educating youngsters on the harmful effects of drugs and offer a fun night of drug-free entertainment where the young artists and musicians can perform. Organised over the last two years by Charlotte Wood and Dave Press with assistance from many others, these concerts, which include the distribution of educational booklets on the subject of drugs, have become more and more popular.
Parent and active community member in East Grinstead, Leslie Wilson said of the concerts:
 "What we are trying to achieve in the community is a common goal, enjoyment, safety, a drug free, safe environment where all ages can go and be comfortable together
“Those that choose to help our children are doing something about it.
“The community is coming to the view that the Church of Scientology is creating a safe space.
“We need to regain community spirit, that family spirit, family values, life values. These are the basis of a good life.
“Why do Artists turn to drugs - they don’t have that family support, life is difficult enough for youngsters as it is.
“The Say No To Drugs Campaign is doing something positive about it."
Musician and computer programmer, James Maxwell, who has given a number of performances at Saint Hill for the Say No To Drugs Band Nites, made the decision to come clean from drugs and says this about his experience:
“It’s so much nicer, easier, not doing drugs. I'm doing things now and I'm clear–headed.
“I was going through a lot - you've got all these ideas, things you want to do but doing drugs makes everything an effort, getting up in the morning was a tremendous effort. I made the decision to come off and it is so much easier. I’ve so much more energy, I now have my own computer company, I also have tons of freelance work coming in, I keep the music going and I have time to do my car projects.
“I wouldn’t be able to do all these things if I was still doing drugs.”
“Playing under the banner of the Say No To Drugs campaign helped and in the long term, it firms you up, reiterates the decisions that you’ve made, why you’re taking the steps you have; you’ve got back-up, it’s like someone saying ‘I understand’ and you can breathe a sigh of relief."
The Say No To Drugs Campaign was launched by Scientologists as a grass roots movement in the mid-80s and is now an international campaign. Churches of Scientology internationally have now printed and distributed more than eight million copies booklets on marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin. Supplementing this massive information programme have been 224,220 drug awareness billboards and posters, over 45 million fliers, 89,000 public awareness events and more than 10,200 newspaper and television stories promoting a drug-free message.
L. Ron Hubbard said:
“Drugs rob life of the sensations and joys which are the only reasons for living anyhow.”
Saint Hill will definitely be hosting many more of the band nites!
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