The collaboration of each and everyone especially the youth is critical to ensure success in the fight against drugs and it is only through concerted efforts that this social evil can be eradicated.
The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, made this statement, today, at a workshop organised by the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) in the context of the National Campaign Against Drugs entitled ‘Unis contre la drogue’ (United against Drugs), at the Ecole Hotelière Sir Gaëtan Duval (EHSGD), in Ebène.
The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, the Chairperson of the MITD Board, Mr Harrykrishna Vydelingum, and other personalities were present.
Addressing the youth present at the workshop, the Prime Minister underlined that combatting drug scourge is one of Government’s topmost priority and that the national campaign was launched earlier this year to sensitise the population, particularly the youth on the impact of drugs on those who consume drugs, on families and the society.
Mr Jugnauth indicated that he had the opportunity to interact with the youths in many workshops organised under this campaign and praised their forward thinking, and suggestions. He observed that the youths have great ideas and propositions and reassured them that their ideas will be taken into consideration by policy makers when devising strategies to address drug problems.
The Prime Minister deplored that several youngsters are becoming victims of drugs and accentuated the need to raise awareness among the youth so that they take cognisance of the ill-effects of drug consumption. Much emphasis is being put on the education so that children grow into responsible adults, he underscored. He recalled that Government will provide free pre-primary school as from January 2024 to ensure that all children get access to education.
He also spoke of the importance of parental guidance and presence in a child’s life. “Parents have a big role to play in the overall development of a child and it is their duties to ensure continual communication with their children and be aware of their daily schedules,” stated the Prime Minister. He added that teachers as well play a fundamental role in the education of a child while underlying that the school is considered as the second home.
Prime Minister Jugnauth further highlighted that in the past a drug addict was treated as a criminal and after his release from prison, he was deeper involved into drugs. Government, he underlined, has at heart the welfare of every citizen and has come up with a new measure whereby victims of drugs who are willing to go for rehabilitation are given the chance to recover from their addiction.
He also spoke of several Governmental measures to control and combat the entry of drugs in the country including the use of latest technology. He mentioned the recommendations in the Paul Lam Shang Leen’s Report on the Commission of Inquiry on Drugs Trafficking and highlighted that Government is envisaging to introduce another two recommendations, namely: obligation for every citizen in possession of one or more sim cards to register the sim card on his name, and the creation of an institution regrouping all units involved in combatting crimes together under one roof. To this regard, he pointed out that Government is coming forward with the Financial Crimes Commission Bill.
The Prime Minister encouraged the youth to adopt a sports culture which according to him will keep them engaged and away from social evils.
