Mauritius: The Family UNited programme was launched this morning, by the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, at the CIM Group Training Centre in Port Louis.
The three-day programme is organised at the initiative of the National Drug Secretariat (NDS), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and CIM Financial Services Lt, and aims at imparting parenting knowledge and enhancing skills and competencies of some 60 social workers who will be called upon to guide parents in protecting their children from the drug scourge. Participants will thus receive intensive face-to-face training by two drug use prevention experts of the UNODC.
The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Mrs Lisa Simrique Singh, the Chairman of the CIM CSR Fund Ltd, Mr Tim Taylor, and other personalities were present.
In her address, Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo highlighted Government’s unflinching commitment to combat the drug scourge by undertaking prevention, treatment, and law enforcement measures. These measures include, amongst others, the setting-up of the National Drug and HIV Council; the NDS; the Drug Users Administrative Panel; and the National Drug Observatory.
She also dwelt on the Mauritius Drug Control Master Plan 2019-2023, aiming to strengthen responses to drug-related issues, and the Dangerous Drugs Act, which has been amended to consolidate the country’s legal framework as far as drug abuse is concerned.
The Children’s Act, she observed, has also consolidated the law concerning the protection of children and provides for parental responsibility, which can contribute to solving the drug issue in Mauritius.
Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo moreover underlined that Government lays emphasis on the rehabilitation and social reintegration of drug users through the development and implementation of a health-based and person-centred approach. To this end, she stated, treatment has been made more accessible and specialised rehabilitation centres have been established around the island to address drug use and addiction.
She further commended CIM Finance and the UNODC for their contribution to this programme and added that confronting the drug scourge requires enhanced public and private partnership and cooperation.
For her part, Mrs Singh reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting the Government’s efforts in its fight against illicit drugs by placing people at the centre of the response, setting precise evidence-based needs, prioritising prevention, and focussing on the role of families. She expressed confidence that the holistic approach of the Government and its combined efforts with the private sector and civil society will undoubtedly contribute to the safer and healthy development of children.
As for Mr Taylor, he mentioned that CIM Finance is doing its best to support Government through its fight against the drug problem. CIM Finance, he indicated, through its Corporate Social Responsibility activities, is trying to engage with the community and address social projects aiming to improve lives and build a better future.
