Pasadena Police K-9 Unit and Drug-Free World Unite to Tackle Drug Abuse Through Community Education

PASADENA, CA, May 03, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — In a joint effort to strengthen drug prevention through education and community engagement, the Pasadena Police Department’s K-9 Unit partnered with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World on April 14 for a public forum, hosted at the Church of Scientology Pasadena, focused on the dangers of illegal drugs and solutions for building a drug-free community.

The event brought together residents, law enforcement and prevention advocates for an educational presentation featuring Pasadena Police Sergeant Richard Padilla, a 28-year veteran, Officer Daniel Velasquez,an 18 year veteran, and their K-9 partners Pepa and Edo, two highly trained Belgian Malinois with Pepa specializing in explosives detection and Edo specializing in narcotics detection.

The program included a live K-9 demonstration, audience discussion and presentations on the growing impact of drug abuse at the national, state and local levels. Free educational materials from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, including Truth About Drugs booklets, were provided to attendees.

“Our K-9 teams are not only crime fighters — they are protectors of public health,” said Karla Bartholomew, Community Affairs spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology Pasadena. “Through education, prevention and collaboration with law enforcement, we can help create a safer, drug-free Pasadena. “During the presentation, officers discussed how K-9 teams assist in identifying illegal narcotics including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl, and demonstrated how their canine partners are trained to support public safety efforts.

The event also highlighted the urgency of the drug crisis. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, approximately 1.16 million Americans are arrested each year for drug-related offenses. In California, the California Department of Public Health reported 11,279 drug-related overdose deaths in 2022.

Bartholomew emphasized a “three-pronged approach” to addressing the problem: prevention, enforcement and intervention. “We believe the fight against drugs requires partnership,” Bartholomew said. “Law enforcement, intervention efforts and prevention education all play a vital role.”

The Church of Scientology Pasadena has long supported community-based initiatives and regularly hosts nonprofit and public service programs, including activities with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World.

For information on upcoming community events, call 626-792-7532.

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.

Website: https://www.scientology-pasadena.org

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