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Apdar launches its peer education programme |29 May 2018

The Agency for Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation (Apdar) has launched its ‘Peer Education’ programme.

The programme, which was officially launched yesterday in a ceremony at the International Conference Centre, is based mainly on building up knowledge on how to prevent or remove someone from drug usage.

During this five-day programme, participants will learn how to deal with the present situation on drugs.

The launch ceremony was attended by former  drug addicts, clients on methadone treatment and representatives from different anti-drug organisations.

The secretary of state for the prevention of drug abuse and rehabilitation, Dr Patrick Herminie, explained how the programme would help the youth of Seychelles, and also focused on drugs such as heroin and how the programme can help an addict.

“During the course of this workshop, your knowledge of how to deal with drug addiction will be enhanced,” Dr Herminie told the delegates.

“In Seychelles, we have seen too many youths fall victim to drug addiction, even at a very young age, so the key for us now is to try and help as many people as we can. Going to ghettos and communicating with them one on one will surely have an impact on them,” Dr Herminie added.

Around 450 of our youth have fallen victims to drug addiction, which accounts for 10% of the youth population, and as Dr Herminie explained, many young people who are addicts were introduced to drugs by a fellow peer; so if one peer can bring another into drug addiction, then another can take them out of it.

The chief executive (CEO) of Apdar, Beryl Naiken, added that people’s addiction to drugs are publicised on social media, not knowing what these victims are going through.

“It’s time we join hands, put the efforts in and try to help combat drug addiction. I know that much will be learnt over the duration of this programme and this will equip you on how to deal with certain situations,” said Ms Naiken.

 

 

 

 

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