‘Safe space’ to assist children and youths facing drug issues

Listen to this article:

Chief Operations Officer Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abdul Khan, Founder of Ministry of Mums (MOM) Group Ellana Kalounisiga and Drug-Free World Director Kalesi Volatabu during their meeting. Picture: SUPPLIED

There is a need to create a safe space where students can come and spend time to keep them from falling on the wrong side of the law and exchange information.

Founder of Ministry of Mums (MOM) Group Ellana Kalounisiga said this during a meeting with  Chief Operations Officer Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abdul Khan and Drug-Free World Director Kalesi Volatabu this past week.

The discussions centered on the setting up of a “safe space” to help young children and youths who face drug abuse related issues.

Mrs Kalounisiga said their main concerns were the young generation as their outreach work with students had noted worrying trends that needed urgent attention.

“The information that our children have on drugs is quite alarming,” Mrs Kalounisiga said.

Ms Volatabu agreed saying she felt there were a lot that could be gained from the setting up of the Center.

“I work with people of all walks of life and there is a lot of information being exchanged and if we establish a safe space where people can go without fear of intimidation, I believe that it will complement the operational efforts by Police in fighting the drug trade,” Ms Volatabu said.

ACP Khan said he was happy with the outcome of the meeting as it would ensure a holistic approach in tackling the issue.

“The policing focus is on the arrest of suspects, seizure and destruction of illicit substances”.

“When it comes to the social impacts of the illicit trade this is where we rely on our various stakeholders who are experts in their respective fields and we appreciate their efforts and will do what we can to assist”.

Array
(
    [post_type] => post
    [post_status] => publish
    [orderby] => date
    [order] => DESC
    [update_post_term_cache] => 
    [update_post_meta_cache] => 
    [cache_results] => 
    [category__in] => 1
    [posts_per_page] => 4
    [offset] => 0
    [no_found_rows] => 1
    [date_query] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [after] => Array
                        (
                            [year] => 2023
                            [month] => 12
                            [day] => 28
                        )

                    [inclusive] => 1
                )

        )

)

No Posts found for specific category