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Argentina - How to accompany young people with drug problems via Salesian charism

20 July 2020

(ANS - Cordoba) - On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which was commemorated on June 26, the Salesian national team that combats this serious problem has launched a document listing the key points of intervention and prevention. Two years ago, in fact, a path of research began, to reflect on what means to use to accompany young people who use drugs. Sister Silvia Dupont, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, talks to us.

What is the first step with young people who use drugs?

The first step is certainly to talk about the topic and not neutralize it. If we do not detect the problem as such, we cannot address it and take responsibility. We must also keep in mind that if a young person starts to consume drugs, the problem is not only linked to him, but often concerns his whole environment, the places and people he attends, his emotional ties. We must recognize that the problem concerns a group and not just a single person.

Why did the need to draft this document arise?

We want to accompany young people who find themselves in these situations. So we decided to produce, as a team, this document which is mainly based on prevention. We have decided to make a contribution and above all to provide a Salesian response to this reality.

So what is the main objective?

With this document we want to invite people to reflect on the problem of drugs and to respond with greater fidelity to the charism and mission. So we have prepared these pages which, in a precise and concise way, explain how to accompany young people with a Salesian touch. This tool, which can be used by all the Salesian Provinces, is the fruit of a long journey of profound reflection which is born with a specific objective: to bring these young people closer to God, who are in a reality made of so much suffering.

Who will read this document, what will they find?

In the first chapter we give an explanation of what we are and how we act. In other words, the physiognomy of our model of preventive approach is explained, which focuses on the person in all his dimensions. Then, there is the invitation to be a typically Salesian community, where everyone occupies a specific place and makes their contribution.

Source: www.donbosconorte.org

Document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1whZXdOb3IPwDF1JDgqNfkGy5pACyB3VE/view

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