Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Youth Empowerment Programme Against Drugs (YEPAD), introduced jointly by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the National Drug Secretariat to raise awareness on the dangers of the drugs scourge across Mauritius, was launched yesterday at the Municipal Hall of Pailles, in Pailles.
The Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), Dr (Mrs) Marie Christiane Dorine Chukowry; the personnel of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Harm Reduction Unit of that Ministry; representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs); and members of the civil society; as well as other personalities, were present.
In her address, the PPS highlighted that the issue of drugs is the concern of all citizens and not only of the authorities and thus there is an urgent need for stakeholders to work collaboratively to fight this scourge.
On that note, she lauded the work being carried out by social workers and NGOs in this combat and in bringing about a positive change within the society.
Government, she underscored, has undertaken a ruthless battle to stop the proliferation of drugs in the country and numerous drug seizures are being carried out regularly.
She further emphasised that prevention is an important factor in tackling the issue of drugs and recalled that this is the reason why the authorities had, in March 2021, introduced the YEPAD so as to empower citizens in that regard.
Dr Chukowry also dwelt on some of the harmful effects that the consumption of drugs can have on the family unit and on the society as a whole and which include increasing the rates of poverty, unemployment and criminality, and bringing about stigmatisation.
She therefore appealed to the inhabitants of Pailles to play their role actively as informed citizens in fighting the drug scourge. The PPS likewise encouraged participants to make the most of the YEPAD and to, in turn, educate and raise awareness within their community on the ill effects of drug consumption.
Dr Chukowry moreover underlined the importance of introducing alternative activities encompassing the sports and culture sectors within communities that would deter young people from consuming drugs.
The YEPAD aims at empowering communities with the right knowledge and training so that, in turn, they are able to inform, educate, and support in the prevention of drug consumption in their neighbourhoods.
A one-week drug prevention education and leadership building initiative, the YEPAD is designed to train young people and build their capacity in actively organising drug prevention activities in their community.
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