This is a part of efforts necessary for positive youth development.
One of the perennial headaches of society has been how to effectively combat ills associated with alcohol and drug use. The city of Douala known for its myriad of insecurities such as assaults, robberies, road accidents, hostilities and a vibrant but volatile motorcycle taxi sector is commonly linked to alcohol and drug consumption, distribution and possession. Owed to continued efforts to curb the scourge, the city is at the crossroads of implementation of a new approach against alcohol and drug use.
The approach focuses on social and emotional learning among young people. Government Bilingual High School New-Bell and Lycée Joss, which have suffered the brunt of addiction by students with fearful consequences on campus, deployed some of their students to attend a teacher trainers’ workshop on promoting positive social attitudes, respect and responsibility, while serving as strong prevention tool which guides young people toward healthy choices and a drug and violence-free lifestyle from April 23-24. They were taught skills necessary for everyday success, including learning to accept responsibility, communicating effectively, setting goals, making healthy decisions and resisting pressure to use alcohol and drugs. The active and interactive learning through drawings was facilitated by Nady Sfeir, Lebanese-born Senior Trainer for Lions Clubs International Foundation.
The initial piloting of the programme called Lions Quest targets 600 young people to be selected from schools and social centres (street children) like the Nylon and Cafem Social Centres- tipped for the execution of the Lions Club programme. The workshop was presided over by the Littoral Regional Delegate of Secondary Education, Emile Yomkil, in the presence of the Wouri Divisional Delegate for Social Affairs, Marie Din Bouem, the Regional Inspector of Secondary Education, Ateba Bessala Jean Marie, as well as the Principal of Government Bilingual High School Deido, Bias Pascal and Lions Club officials.
