Lindsay Lohan: Chlamydia is the devil!

Pasadena, CA -- Determined to turn her life around and make a difference after her recent troubles, actress and aspiring singer Lindsay Lohan has taken up the cause of promoting awareness and prevention of chlamydia infection in the United States.

Appearing as the keynote guest of honor at the official launching of the newly-formed Coalition of Teens Against Chlamydia (COTAC) at the Pasadena Convention Center, Lohan touched everyone in attendance with a heartfelt speech about how chlamydia affected her life.

"I saw a CSI episode about it once, and it made me realize one thing. Chlamydia is not just an STI that scars your urethra, it's an evil force that can kill dreams, tear apart families and in some cases, lead to murder," said the actress, who looked fetching in a low-cut salmon-colored dress.

Lohan commended the organizers of COTAC for taking initiative in getting the message out about chlamydia, and underscored the importance of teenagers becoming more involved and aware of its dangers.

"All I can say is... don't be a depressing CSI episode. Down with chlamydia!" Lohan said in her closing remarks.

The launching ceremony was also attended by Paris Hilton, who said she was the one who encouraged Lohan to take up the chlamydia cause.

"She was, like, bumming me out with her incessant 'Oh, woe is me' state of mind," Hilton said. "So I told her to snap out of it, start thinking beyond herself, and pick up a noble cause that no one else has championed."

In recent weeks, Lohan has been the subject of tabloid fodder after her much-publicized breakup with her lesbian lover Samantha Ronson, financial troubles and run-ins with the law. In an attempt to reverse her misfortunes and take back control of her life, the former child actress created a tongue-in-cheek profile on dating network eHarmony.

Chlamydia infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide — it is estimated that about 2.3 million individuals in the United States are infected with chlamydia.