The mushroom child leaders of the Pugsada Support and Awareness Association (ADEP) act against drug addiction in schools and violence against children
As part of the implementation of the activities of their mini project: Strengthening children’s knowledge and ability to act to combat violence against children in 04 districts of the city of Ouagadougou, “Yam Wékré” (Awakening of knowledge), the champion child leaders of the Pugsada Support and Awareness Association (ADEP) with the technical and financial support of the International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) organized a football tournament ” Zero drugs in schools.”
On Saturday December 28, 2024 in Ouagadougou on the grounds of the Gounghin Mixed High School, a major event mobilized Burkinabè youth and their communities around a noble cause: raising awareness of the dangers of drug addiction. Through the football tournament entitled “Zero drugs in schools”, more than 1,000 adolescents and young people as well as 500 adults were engaged in a collective initiative aimed at countering this scourge which is plaguing society, particularly in schools.
This tournament, the final of which was played on December 28, 2024, brought together eight (08) teams, including two women’s teams, in an atmosphere combining sporting competition and educational message. It pitted the Flèche Royale team against Racine FC, the latter won the trophy during the penalty shootout. As a reminder, the competitions took place on August 30 and 31, 2024 at the Gounghin Mixed High School, and on the Pag-la yiiri football field.
“This magnificent “zero drugs in schools” football tournament which brought together eight teams including two women’s teams, in an atmosphere of solidarity, commitment and determination everyone must be aware of. This final today marks the collective capacity to face major challenges that threaten our youth and the community. Adults must strengthen their commitment to providing children and adolescents with a safe, illicit substance-free environment. Children, for their part, must be role models and refuse temptations,” declared COULIBALY Mariame, Champion Leader, children’s representative during the opening ceremony.
According to Ms. Laure Chantal OUEDRAOGO, Project Manager at ADEP, drug consumption in schools in Burkina Faso is a growing concern, particularly affecting adolescents and young adults. In addition to being a source of antisocial behavior, violence, illness, early and unwanted pregnancies, theft and rape, it can lead to children dropping out of school.
According to the newspaper L’Économiste du Faso in its article: “drug addiction in schools, the response from the ministry in charge of education.”
Latest data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows that drug use affects millions of young people around the world. In Burkina Faso, this problem is particularly rooted in the educational environment, threatening not only the health of young people, but also their academic and professional future.
The most abused substances include alcohol, tobacco, solvents, cannabis, tramadol, crack, cocaine and heroin.
“Football brings people together, and it is by uniting our efforts that we can defeat the scourges of drugs, alcohol and narcotics. This tournament is a collective cry for a better future for our children,” she added.
For Zoénabou Savadogo, Child Participation and Protection Specialist at IBCR : “The scourge of drug addiction among children and young people is a major issue that compromises their health, their education, and their future. The multiple consequences observed are, among others, a drop in academic performance, with previously brilliant students suddenly showing poor performance, the appearance of psychiatric disorders, in particular acute illnesses which can develop into serious pathologies such as schizophrenia, an increase in behavioral aggressive and violence in the school environment to let the specialist know.
The contributing factors to this scourge include the influence of peers and the family environment, the increased accessibility of psychoactive substances, particularly in mining areas, and the lack of adequate structures for the care of young users. This is why we must welcome the initiative undertaken through the Yam Wékré project which aims to raise awareness among children and parents, she explained.
During the event, the children presented a poem: The shadow of drugs, the light of hope to explain the causes addiction (peer influence, academic stress, curiosity) and its consequences (school dropout, mental health problems, violence).
The “Zero Drugs in Schools” football tournament proved to be a success both in terms of mobilization and awareness. The young participants not only showed their talent on the field, but also expressed their commitment to saying NO to drugs and defending a better future.
The hope is that this initiative will inspire other similar actions across the country, thus consolidating efforts to protect Burkinabe youth from the dangers of drug addiction.
V.K/L.C