New Care headquarters to be ready soon |27 February 2006

It will provide young people and the general public with various new programmes aimed at giving them with a sound education of the heart, personal, moral and spiritual values required for successful living.

According to Care’s senior programme officer, Marie-Annette Ernesta, once completed the new headquarters at Freedom Square will be spacious thus allowing the staff to deliver therapy services, counsel youths and other people with illicit substance abuse problems and organise leisure and recreational activities.

Ms Ernesta, who was speaking at the new Care House following a visit on Friday February 24 by the Minister for Health and Social Services, Vincent Meriton, also talked about the new alternative education programme aimed at giving schoolchildren and young people who are out of school the opportunity to acquire other skills.

“There are quite a number of schoolchildren who are expelled from schools. In most cases they end up in the streets where they are exposed to illicit substances. Through the alternative education programme, they will be able to attend classes and acquire other skills for the world of work and participate in recreational activities,” Ms Ernesta explained.

For his part, Minister Meriton, who was accompanied by the principal secretary for Social Services, Marie-Antoinette Alexis, said that his visit to Care’s current offices at the Stad Popiler car park and the new Care House was the start of a series of visits aimed at familiarising himself and members of the public on the role and mission of the various anti-drug organisations, agencies and departments in the country, as well as identify their needs.

Minister Meriton congratulated Care for its vital role in the prevention of illicit substance abuse among the youths.

Friday’s visit was also attended by a group of Care Club members from English River Secondary School.

Next month Minister Meriton is expected to visit the Police Headquarters in Victoria and Adams (Anti-Drugs and Marine Squad) Headquarters at the New Port.