Africa-Press – Seychelles. Children in particular and youth in general are being urged to stand tall and resilient with pride, to make daily positive life choices that bring out the preciousness and sanctity of the life entrusted to them.
This is a message of hope coming from CARE (Committee for Awareness, Resilience and Education against substance abuse) on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking being celebrated today, June 26, 2023.
The full text of CARE’s message reads:
“The world comes together once again this year to commemorate this International Day.This year’s the UNODC’s theme for the day is ‘People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention’.
“As the main substance use prevention organisation in Seychelles, CARE is very happy that this year’s theme highlights the importance of strengthening prevention as part of any drug control plan.
“This international day reminds us of the harsh reality of the drug pandemic and with it, the extent of deep human suffering, where children, families and precious human resources are lost.
“It is often said, that it is in the deepest despair that greatest hope is born. The recent BBC programme aired on national television, also seen worldwide, giving a wide coverage of Seychelles, for reasons not to be celebrated, but rather to be mourned. The programme has hit us with a harsh blow in the face to the sad reality in our country that we need to grapple with all of our might and determination.
“The drug pandemic is a threat to national security, as it is globally. It is hence, crucial, that as a nation, we move from despair to hope. CARE’s message therefore, on this day, is one of hope, one that invites especially children and youth to stand tall and resilient with pride, to make daily positive life choices that bring out the preciousness and sanctity of the life entrusted to them.
“Children, however cannot achieve this on their own, they need us adults to teach them, to guide them and help them bounce back when they fall. We as adults, especially parents and the whole family network need to do our part, as children need their parents and family, now more than ever.
“For this year, CARE is focusing its prevention programmes and activities in schools on kindness and hope, with resilience building being a core foundation of all programmes. As we try to focus on helping children to build resilience and character, it is also important that the whole countryand forces come together to build resilient families, neighbourhoods and communities.
“Let us together build a collective and shared vision for a common meaning of life. Drug abuse and illicit trafficking bring misery and despair everywhere they go, let us use our strength as the custodians of our nation to move from despair to hope and action. Let us move from the current status quo of ‘drugs against life’ to ‘life against drugs’.
“UNODC’s ‘People first, stop stigma and discrimination’ is a call for us as a nation to do what we can to help our fallen brothers and sisters to reclaim the lost meaning to their life through holistic programmes and services.
“CARE is grateful to government’s stance and zero tolerance on drug trafficking. We also applaud the police and other law enforcement agencies’ determination to reduce the supply flow of drugs, rigourously cleaning up communities and territorial waters. Such is a crucial step to decreasing the threats to citizens’ safety and well-being, especially children and schools.
“CARE today, as always asks that caution and prudence be used with regards to so called ‘soft drugs’, let us remember that for children nothing is ‘soft’. It is the very so called soft drugs that lead to harder drugs later, that bring numerous mental health challenges in children and adolescents. Let us not forget that many adult recidivist offenders, started off with ‘soft’ juvenile delinquent acts.
“Today, let us commit ourselves to continue to work together as families, schools, community, service providers in government, faith based, civil society, etc to give our children reasons to hope, to aim high, to dream and live their dream. Let us help them to reach their greatest potentials, where drugs and other dangerous substances do not have a place.”
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