A series of activities kicked off, this morning, at the Pointe Jerome National Outdoor Education and Outdoor Recreation Centre, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2022, annually observed on 26 June, and raise awareness among the youth on this social scourge. The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Stephan Toussaint, and the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram, were present at the event.
This aim of this initiative of the Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, the National Drug Secretariat and the Mauritius Sports Council, is to sensitise the youth on the the major problem that illicit drugs represent to the society. The Day is marked every year to strengthen action and cooperation to achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse. The 2022 theme is Addressing Drug Challenge in Health and Humanitarian Crises.
The activities comprise kayak; dragon boat; biking; stand up paddle; team building; first aid programme by St. John Ambulance; stewardship towards environment – precious plastic; sensitisation talks by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and Non-Governmental Organisations and Prevention Information against AIDS from PILS. The Human Resource Development Council and the Mauritius Institute of Training Development also provided information at their respective stations.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Toussaint encouraged the youth present to make the most of the activities available. The message on this international day, he said, is to sensitise the youngsters on the importance of sports, recreational activities and fun games, and the negative impacts of drugs.
He reiterated Government’s relentless efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country. The Sports Minister urged the youth to promote a drug-free society and to inform their parents and surrounding regarding any form of drug abuse.
Also speaking at the event, the Adviser to the PMO and representative of the National Drug Secretariat, Mrs Nudhar Bundhoo, dwelt on the function of the Secretariat to tackle the drug scourge through various programmes. She spoke on the phase of adolescence which is a crucial one and therefore called upon the youth to lead a healthy lifestyle.
