How To Stop Using Drugs In Pbl

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Aldous Blake
3 years ago
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1 Dear friends, Caritas Jerusalem attempts to improve every aspect of life by being involved in many projects and programs in the Holy Land. Drug abuse has regrettably become an epidemic in East Jerusalem. Drug use hurts our families and our communities. We believe in our youth and train them in fighting drug abuse; we believe that prevention is better than cure. But we cannot do all these things without the assistance of our local and international partners and friends. I am sure together, we can put an end to this terrible addictive phenomenon. Fr. Raed Abusahlia General Director Caritas Jerusalem Caritas Jerusalem Holds Its Second Conference on Drug Abuse in Bethlehem University Drugs: you use, you lose! that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behaviour. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Caritas Jerusalem s Old City Counseling Center (OCCC) is there to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives. On Thursday, the 19th of June, 2014, the second conference on drug abuse took place in Bethlehem University, to discuss illegal drug consumption in Palestine titled A Look at the Future. The event was initiated by Caritas Jerusalem s (OCCC) The conference in Bethlehem brought together political leaders, academics, university students, professionals in the field and other civil society representatives. Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It is often mistakenly assumed Br. Peter Bray, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University: our Lord says in John 10:10

We believe in our youth and train them in fighting drug abuse; we believe that prevention is better than cure.

2 I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly Ignorance is one of the reasons that people cannot live a full life and Bethlehem University strives to educate young men and women so that they can live their lives fully. Drug abuse is another reason that people cannot live a full abundant life and we are proud to partner with Caritas Jerusalem to tackle this phenomenon. Fr. Raed Abusahlia, General Director of Caritas Jerusalem. Caritas Jerusalem s OCCC opened in 1999 with the objective of helping the increasingly vulnerable population of East Jerusalem and focusing especially on drug addiction issues. Our approach to drug addiction is holistic. We work with the addict, the family and his social circle. We also work with 32 schools in Jerusalem, the Bethlehem University and the Al- Istiqlal University in Jericho. Our social workers organize meetings with youth and women groups to raise their awareness on drugs and give them tools to respond if they are confronted with the problem. In addition, the outreach officer goes out into drug hot-spots and informs the addicts about the center. Mr. Adnan Al Husseini The Palestinian governor of Jerusalem I am happy to be here and take part in this conference. The youth, especially the Jerusalemite youth are very important to us because the accursed separation wall has left them isolated from the rest of Palestine and their peers. I sincerely appreciate Caritas Jerusalem s commitment and all its hard efforts for the people of the Holy Land. Mr. Ala Kharoub the technical manager of the OCCC We are one of the few organizations in East Jerusalem who work with drug abusers. Our services are exceptional in that we go to the addicts and work through former addicts our message to them is we have been there done that. We refer the addict to the best center that suits their special needs and reintegrate them into the society as an after care.

Drug abuse is another reason that people cannot live a full abundant life and we are proud to partner with Caritas Jerusalem to tackle this phenomenon. Fr.

3 Dr. Asad Ramlawi, Director General of Primary Health Care Recently, we have done a survey on drug addiction in cooperation with Caritas Jerusalem, World Health Organization (WHO)and the Global Fund. Our aim was to explore the link between hepatitis C and drug use. We planned to reach 250 abusers in 7 days, but we were able to complete it in 3 days which is a strong indicator of the increase in drug use and abuse. We cannot fight against this widespread phenomenon by ourselves; we need the cooperation of Caritas Jerusalem and other organizations who deal with this issue. Colonel Abdullah Alhoury Our success depends on the active participation of the citizens, service providers and organizations such as Caritas Jerusalem. Parents should not hide this dangerous phenomenon from the law and risk losing a child. We are here to support and not to punish. Mr. Khaldoun Oweis, from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Spending money, saves money. We should do everything possible to decrease drug abuse. This will not only help the abusers but it will also help the community at large. Of course we can only succeed when we cooperate together. Dr. Michael Sansour, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University Drug addiction is evil; evil causes sickness. I worked in many institutions and with various age groups. It is very important to know the level of knowledge the youth have about drugs and drug abuse, so that one can present the information with a clear message. Since 2008, the OCCC runs a specific training program in cooperation with Bethlehem University aiming at preparing psychologists, social workers

We planned to reach 250 abusers in 7 days, but we were able to complete it in 3 days which is a strong indicator of the increase in drug use and abuse.

4 and students to work in the field of prevention and intervention against drug abuse. The diploma is recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education. of drug prevention programs in The Old City. I hope this conference will have its positive impacts on youth, families and communities. This year we had 17 graduates: four social workers, five police officers, three psychologists, a nurse, two counsellors, a judge and a professor. The day came to its conclusion by the distribution of the diplomas. Mr. Mousa Rabadi the director of the Institute for Community Partnership in Bethlehem University addressed the graduates Drug addiction is destroying our youth and our communities. Your gained skills are the beginning of your fight. You are now our ambassadors and it is your duty to spread your knowledge and help others. We at Caritas Jerusalem believe that our country depends on the youth and we will do everything possible to empower them. This conference was funded by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Caritas Jerusalem marks the celebration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Mr. Tamer Zakkak Caritas Jerusalem s OCCC Director We will march through the streets of Jerusalem on the International Day Against Drug Abuse. In fact our march started in 1999 when we saw the increasing need Around 200 non- governmental organizations, civil servants, students and children gathered at the Damascus Gate (one of the seven open gates in the old city of Jerusalem) on Thursday,

This year we had 17 graduates: four social workers, five police officers, three psychologists, a nurse, two counsellors, a judge and a professor.

5 June 26, to celebrate the International Day Against Drugs. The day was organized by Caritas Jerusalem s Old City Counseling Center (OCCC). The planned march started from Damascus Gate, through the streets of the Old City chanting We want Jerusalem clean from drugs! The march ended at Herod s Gate. Mr. Abdullah Siam, Deputy Governor of Jerusalem Drugs effect everyone. They don t know rules or boundaries! Our children are our society s greatest asset; they are our future. The OCCC is the most important center which invests in their future with experience, care and love. Eventually, everyone gathered at the Abna El Quds Community Center where there were different kinds of performances and activities. A play was performed which showed the effects of drug addiction on family life. It illustrated the dilemma and the hard struggle that it is facing; as a last resort they turn to Caritas Jerusalem for help. Mr. Suheil Omari, the director of the Abna El Quds Community Center: Everyone knows someone close who is addicted. We have years of cooperation with Caritas Jerusalem and we work together with all age groups.

Abdullah Siam, Deputy Governor of Jerusalem Drugs effect everyone. They don t know rules or boundaries! Our children are our society s greatest asset; they are our future.

6 organization in East Jerusalem to give counselling and support services to drug addicts and their families. Caritas Jerusalem concludes the drug prevention program for students of the Al- Istiqlal University in Jericho Training the Palestinian Police Fr. Raed Abusahlia We re ready to share our experiences. We are also ready to cooperate in making shared projects and programs. Mr. Tamer Zakkak We are committed to reduce drug abuse; we are everywhere, schools, universities, street corners... to advice, to spread the knowledge, to support the addicts and their families. Thirty-three senior university students graduated on the 4 th of June, 2014 from the Palestinian military academy after a 24 hour drug prevention training program in cooperation with Al-Istiqlal University in Jericho. The training covered modern scientific and global issues on drug addiction and the role of the police and security agencies in the prevention and proper intervention in drug abuse. The day s activities came to a close with poetry recital, dabke dance and Palestinian music. East Jerusalem and the Old City in particular face a widespread drug abuse problem. In 1999 Caritas Jerusalem opened the Old City Counseling Center, so far the only

We are also ready to cooperate in making shared projects and programs. Mr. Tamer Zakkak We are committed to reduce drug abuse; we are everywhere, schools, universities, street corners.

7 Dr. Abdel Nasser Qaddoumi, the President of the University was very pleased with the training and presented a thank you plaque as a token of his appreciation to Caritas Jerusalem. Caritas Jerusalem s Old City Counseling Center works through many institutions and organizations in order to optimize its work not only in East Jerusalem but also in other towns and cities in Palestine. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners ile de France for funding this project. How can you help? Support our activities Your support is essential to provide long-term assistance to our beneficiaries. Please see below our bank details to make a donation: Bank Name: Arab Bank Swift Code: ARABPS Account number: /0/510 USD Credit Account: Caritas Jerusalem Branch No: 9110 At Arab Bank in Al-Ram P.O.Box: 2445-Al-Ram Jerusalem

Palestine. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners ile de France for funding this project. How can you help?

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Moderator: Juan Pablo Yga Director: Patricio Williams Secretary: Andrea Cisneros Topic B: Decreasing drug abuse among minors Description of Committee: The