In his inaugural address, Nelson stressed the need for building healthy families to prevent drug abuse among children. Father Koyickal, in his presidential address, said, “Today, the greatest pandemic is drug abuse. We need to join hands with each other and the Government to eradicate the pandemic”. Giving an impetus to the varied works by Salesians, he said Salesians are at the forefront working for the well-being of children in vulnerable situations.
The DREAM Project launched in the state of Kerala is financed by the German Government. The duration of the Project is forty months, starting from November 2021 to February 2025. The Project covers ten districts of Kerala and reaches 40-50 panchayaths, 50 schools and ten colleges in each District. Training and awareness on the dangers of drug abuse, digital addiction etc., will be the focus of the Project. The Project envisages a counselling centre at every District stationed in one of the Don Bosco Institutions. The entire state will have a de-addiction and rehabilitation centre. Father Binu Scaria SDB will coordinate the Project at the state level and a Salesian priest in each District. Further, the team comprises two councillors and a social worker to operate at the ground level. Before the launch, the staff had the induction workshop for two days at Don Bosco Vaduthala.
Father Rubin Mathew, Executive Director of BREADS, Bangalore, Father Joy Nedumparambil, Economer, Father Shibu Davis, Rector of Don Bosco, Vaduthala, and Shibin Shaji Varghese, district coordinator of DREAM, Ernakulam, graced the occasion.
By Bastin Nellissery
Source: Don Bosco India
