Campaign against drug abuse - Resilience relay starts at English River school |02 July 2015

The Committee for Awareness, Resilience and Education against substance abuse (Care) has launched a one-month campaign against drug abuse called ‘Resilience Relay’.

The relay kicked off yesterday morning at the English River school in the presence of the ambassador for Women and Children’s Affairs Dr Erna Athanasius, principal secretary Merida Delcy, the chairperson of Care Sarah Rene, the head teacher of English River school Marie Claude Morel, other high delegates from government, teachers and students.

The resilience baton will go around the schools for students to write messages based on drug abuse dedicated to their fellow colleagues.

The launch of the resilience relay coincided with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking celebrated on June 26.

In her speech for the occasion PS Delcy said that the relay is sending a message to all Seychellois that drug can affect lives and much more.

She added that we should take time and help each other in the fight against drugs.

“With the help of the school, family and other institutions that fight against drugs we can make a difference and say NO to drugs. We also need to have a spiritual way of thinking so that our heart can be clean of all negativity that surrounds us,” she said.

Head teacher Morel also had a few words to mark the occasion.

“Drug is becoming a problem that’s affecting the community. Even the English River school has been affected by that major problem that’s affecting all of us. We can see that many students start drinking and smoking at a very young age. We should educate them to choose a better way of life, a cleaner life.”

During the ceremony the group Inison comprising Antoinette Dodin and Judith Hoareau were there to entertain the guests with their winning song entitled ‘Meyer plas anba lesyel’.

The resilience relay’s next stop will be at Perseverance school, followed by other schools around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.