The National Substance Abuse Advisory Council has started its three-week training at CATD Nadave for its 10 volunteers.

These men and women will assist in the counselling and awareness programmes in schools and local communities.

The training focuses on the area of drug and substance abuse, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or lifestyle related diseases, health promotion, HIV and AIDS, adolescent reproductive health, child abuse, violence against girls and women, school related gender based violence and basic counseling skills.

The divisional education officer-Central, Serupepeli Udre, was chief guest on Monday to open the training and deliver a keynote address to the 10 volunteers. The volunteer scheme is in accordance with Clause 75 of the National Employment Centre (NEC) Decree No. 54 of 2009.  The purpose of the scheme is to promote a strong sense of national pride and to address social problems.

Addressing the volunteers, Mr Udre said the volunteers were the additional strengths that the Ministry of Education anticipated to assist the council in its programmes.

“We affirm that after this training, you will be equipped accordingly to assist in reducing various forms of abuse and indiscipline cases,” Mr Udre said.

The volunteers will be appointed to five schools in the Central Division and five schools in the Western Division after their training.

Although they will be based in the selected schools, the volunteers will be responsible for a cluster of around 50-60 schools, to regularly assist in the training and awareness programmes.

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