Sissili: The Secretary General of the Boulgou Province, Lall© Siaka Yao, representing the Governor of the Nakamb© region, officially launched the project "Acting together against drugs and narcotics in schools" on Thursday in Tenkodogo. This initiative is led by the Boulgou Provincial Coordination of Citizen Watch with the support of Enabel. The top administrative, educational, and security officials, along with partners, have confirmed their dedication to preventing drug use in schools to safeguard the future of the youth.
According to Burkina Information Agency, administrative authorities, school officials, defense and security forces, civil society organizations, technical and financial partners, and students gathered in the Katouma room in Tenkodogo to respond to the initiative. The representative of the governor of the Nakamb© region emphasized the importance of this citizen initiative as a major contribution to protecting the youth. He noted that drug use and trafficking threaten the health, safety, and future of young people, jeopardizing their academic success and social integration.
Reflecting on the criminal events in Tenkodogo in 2020 involving young students, the governor stressed the need for all actors to enhance prevention, supervision, and support for adolescents. He highlighted that no single institution can tackle this challenge alone and called for collaborative action among public administration, local authorities, defense and security forces, schools, families, community leaders, civil society organizations, and young people.
The project, lasting nine months with a budget of 5 million CFA francs, includes training for teachers, students, and peer educators in drug prevention. Augustin Beban©, the provincial coordinator of Citizen Watch in Boulgou, outlined the project's goals to strengthen the understanding of the dangers related to narcotics among various stakeholders, promote their participation in prevention actions, and gather their recommendations to enhance intervention effectiveness.
Implemented in an experimental phase with Enabel's support, the project aims to boost citizen monitoring, community awareness, and stakeholder engagement to create a safer school environment for students. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the project's implementation, believing that prevention, awareness, and collective responsibility are crucial defenses against drugs in schools and for fostering a responsible youth.