Voice For Humanity: Choolun Bhojoo leads the fight to rid Mauritius of a drug plague
(PRWEB) April 20, 2015 -- Mauritius is a seemingly idyllic and tranquil island oasis in a turquoise sea. Located some 2,000 km (1,243 miles) off the southeastern coast of Africa, the tiny nation boasts a diverse cultural and religious melting pot where everyone lives together in harmony.
But the shimmering façade masks a darker reality. Mauritius is riddled with drug abuse. In fact, it carries a dubious designation: The highest rate of opiate consumption of any nation in eastern Africa.
“Many youngsters, they know the types of drugs that are on the market,” says Mr. Choolun Bhojoo, Deputy Commissioner the Mauritius Police, responsible for the southern sector of the island. “We have to try to help them from falling prey to the scourge of drugs. Fighting drugs is one of our main priorities and one of our primary policing objectives.”
Acknowledging it couldn’t wage this battle alone, the Mauritius police contacted the Foundation for a Drug-Free World after having seen its materials online and immediately understanding it was the kind of program that could make a real difference.
Upon receiving the materials from the Foundation for its The Truth About Drugs program, the department distributed them to the police training school and all the branches and units of the Mauritius force. In order to properly incorporate the books, pamphlets and videos into its drug education/fighting efforts, the officers trained in the program themselves, instantly finding it enriching, relevant and potentially effective.
“We launched community forums and went to schools and colleges to distribute (the materials),” says Bhojoo. “These have helped our staff and trainers to conduct these campaigns in the fight against drugs. Since our officers have become more alive, and more knowledgeable with the support of the Foundation, they are now conducting their campaigns with more professionalism, with more commitment. Our campaigns have become livelier, catchier and more interesting.”
The Mauritius officers have reached more than 20,000 vulnerable young people through the program, which is now an integral part of the Mauritius department’s educational outreach. And with Deputy Commissioner Bhojoo driving the initiative forward, the future of the island’s drug fight is suddenly significantly brighter.
The Church of Scientology supports The Truth About Drugs initiative, one of the world’s largest nongovernmental drug education and prevention campaigns. More than 800 government and community organizations have adopted these materials and some 24,000 Truth About Drugs educator kits and 62 million The Truth About Drugs booklets have been distributed in 123 countries.
To make this and the other humanitarian and social betterment initiatives it supports even more broadly available, the Church of Scientology has published a brochure, Voice for Humanity—Real Help, Real Results.
Inspired by the words of L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of the Scientology religion, that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” Scientologists wholeheartedly support these programs. Participation and collaboration in these initiatives are invited and welcomed from all who seek to improve conditions for themselves and others.
For more information, visit the Scientology website.
Luis Gonzalez, Church of Scientology International, http://www.scientology.org/, +1 (323) 960-3500, [email protected]
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