Save Our Youths From Substance Abuse

The “Save Our Youths from Substance Abuse” project is an initiative launched by JMFOA International to combat the growing concern of substance abuse and related issues affecting young people in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Over the past few years, these regions have seen a sharp rise in illicit drug use among school children, contributing to various social problems such as teenage pregnancies, suicides, violence, and mental health disorders. The prolonged effects of the 30-year civil war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent economic crisis have left deep scars on the Tamil community, leading to the breakdown of family structures, social norms, and cultural values.

In response to these challenges, JMFOA International, in collaboration with medical professionals and educators, has developed a comprehensive and sustainable program that aims to address substance abuse holistically. By focusing on life skills training for students, parenting education, and the establishment of youth-friendly resources, this project seeks to foster a motivated, drug-free future generation. Through this program, we hope to rebuild the social fabric, instill positive behaviors, and promote healthier lifestyles among the youth of Sri Lanka.

Overview of the Substance Use Prevention Programme in North and East Sri Lanka

Substance abuse and its related issues have become a growing threat to the youth in the North and East of Sri Lanka. The Tamil community, in particular, has been deeply affected by the consequences of the 30-year civil war, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, and migration. This has resulted in a breakdown of family structures, loss of cultural identity, and a rise in mental health issues, addiction, and antisocial behaviors among young people.

In light of this, JMFOA International has collaborated with medical professionals, educators, and the Jaffna Medical Faculty to design and implement an evidence-based, integrated program. The goal of this initiative is to not only address substance abuse but also the psychosocial challenges that contribute to unhealthy behaviors among the youth.

Key Program Initiatives

Life Skills Training for Teachers and Students:

The program began with life skills training for secondary school teachers in the Vadamaradchi and Batticaloa education zones, utilizing the Manohari Life Skills Modules. Teachers, trained in these modules, are expected to impart the same knowledge to their students. In feedback sessions held in December 2023, teachers reported positive changes in student behavior, including improved communication, mutual respect, and a reduction in conflicts. However, challenges such as inadequate teaching time and space were noted and are being addressed with the support of the Ministry of Education.

Parenting Skills Development:

Recognizing the importance of parental involvement, JMFOA has developed five parenting skill modules with the help of multidisciplinary experts. These modules have been piloted in two zones, and the feedback has been positive. Moving forward, both students and their parents will receive life skills training simultaneously, strengthening family dynamics and ensuring a more comprehensive approach to preventing substance abuse.

Youth-Friendly Walk-In Centres:

A Youth Drop-in Centre was established at the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital in early 2024. The centre provides services such as advice, counseling, day-care facilities, short-term stays, inpatient treatment, and telephone consultations. Plans are underway to open another centre at the Point Pedro Hospital. These centres aim to offer youth a safe and supportive environment where they can seek help without judgment.

Youth-Friendly Website:

A website is being developed to serve as an educational and support tool for young people and their parents. Available in both Tamil and English, it will feature a Q&A section, chat rooms, video clips, and animated videos. The goal is to create an accessible, youth-centered platform that encourages engagement and provides reliable information on substance abuse prevention.

Expanding the Program

Following the success of the pilot project, JMFOA has expanded the life skills training to additional zones, including Batticaloa West, Padirippu, Kalkuda, Kalmunai, Vadamaradchi, and Batticaloa. The program will continue to expand across other zones over the next five years, with plans for it to be fully integrated into the school curriculum. Teachers’ performance will be monitored and assessed as part of the Department of Education’s appraisal system.

In collaboration with the Jaffna Medical Faculty, JMFOA is also conducting a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Manohari Life Skills Training Modules. This research, set to take place in 2024-2025, aims to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the modules and to make data-driven adjustments to improve the program’s impact.

Moving Forward

The “Save Our Youths from Substance Abuse” project is more than just a response to the growing problem of drug use. It is an investment in the future of Sri Lanka’s youth. By equipping teachers, students, and parents with the tools they need to foster resilience and positive behavior, JMFOA aims to create lasting change and build a healthier, more empowered generation. Through the combined efforts of educators, medical professionals, and the community, this initiative seeks to break the cycle of addiction and unhealthy behaviors, offering hope for a brighter future for the youth of Sri Lanka.

This project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of addressing the root causes of substance abuse to create sustainable change.

Make a difference to the future!
*Save our youths from substance abuse*

Destruction of our Tamil youth in the North & East of Sri Lanka is happening before our very eyes. Do we sit back and watch this destruction, or should we empower the next generation with the proper awareness?

ICE and heroin use in the North and East have increased alarmingly over the past two years, for many reasons, mainly at the school level. 16% of Sri Lankan youths have used at least one illegal drug during their lifetime.

In response to the soaring rates of drug use in the youth, JMFOA, with doctors from the North and East, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, is implementing a major project, ‘the drug abuse prevention programme’ for all schools:

• SAY NO TO DRUGS
• Treatment / rehabilitation facilities for those already on drugs.

We seek your generous support for this enormous task. Every penny will help.
It is now or never!

The musical fundraising event will be on 25th March 2023 at Watersmeet. Theatre.
Please share with your friends, family, and social media.
MASSIVE THANK YOU!

Click here to donate : https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/drugawareness
Click here to buy tickets for *இசைச்சுவடுகள்* : https://jmfoauk.com/buy-tickets.aspx

போதைப்பொருள் பாவனை என்னும் கோரப்பிடியினின்று எம்இளையோரை விடுவிப்போம்.
நம்மண்ணில் எம் கண்முன் நடந்தேறும் இந்த சீரழிவை தடுத்து நிறுத்தும் மாபெரும் சமுதாயப் பொறுப்பு எங்கள் ஒவ்வொருவரினதும் தார்மீகக் கடமை.சந்தர்ப்பத்தை நழுவ விடின் எம்மினம் போதைப்பொருள் என்னும் கொடிய நோயினால் சிதைந்து அழிவது திண்ணம்.
அண்மைக்காலமாக ICE மற்றும் ஹெரோயின் பாவனை பாடசாலை சிறுவர்கள் இளையோர் மத்தியில் அபயகராமாக அதிகரித்துள்ளது. 16% இளையோர் தங்கள் வாழ்நாளில் ஒரு போதைப் பொருளையாவது பாவித்து இருக்கிறார்கள் என்பது மிகவும் கவலைக்குரிய தரவு.
இப்பேரழிவைத் தடுக்கும் மாபெரும் பணிக்கு JMFOA-UK, யாழ் பல்கலைக்கழக வெளிநாட்டு மருத்துவ உறுப்பினர்கள், எம் நாட்டு மருத்துவர்களுடன் இணைந்து முன்னெடுக்கும்
*போதைப் பொருள் பாவனை தடுப்பு திட்டம்* என்னும் பாரிய செயற்திட்டத்துக்கு தேவையான நிதி திரட்டும் நிகழ்வுக்கு உங்கள் பேராதரவை வாரி வழங்குங்கள்.
இதன் பொருட்டு 25/03/23 Watersmeet அரங்கில் நடைபெறும் *இசைச்சுவடுகள்* என்ற கலாச்சார நிகழ்வுக்கும் உங்களை அன்புடன் அழைக்கின்றோம்.
இதனை உங்கள் உறவினர்கள் நண்பர்களுக்கு சமூக ஊடகங்கள் மூலம் பகிர்ந்து உங்கள் ஆதரவை நல்குங்கள்.

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