The Salvation Army has been given a boost in its efforts to bring rehabilitative services to drug addicts, after President Bharrat Jagdeo handed over $5M to coordinators of the programme. The assistance came yesterday when Advisory Board Chairman Eddy Boyer, Administrator Captain Matignol Saint-Lot, and beneficiaries of the rehab programme met the Head of State at the Office of the President.
Boyer told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the President’s benevolent contribution will help in a significant way to offset costs incurred on those in need of rehabilitation.
The Salvation Army usually subsidises the cost which families have to bear; but with the President’s injection, Boyer was confident that the programme will be able to attract more vulnerable groups.
“The programme has over the years benefitted  many persons… a lot of them are back in the society and hundreds of them over the years are benefiting,” Boyer said, opining that more can be achieved with the right corporate support.
The work of the Salvation Army was hailed by the Head of State who encouraged the coordinators to go the further step of reaching out to the schools and other areas, to bring home the message about drug addiction and its consequences.
He also brainstormed strengthening after-treatment services which are seen as a necessary follow- up to prevention mechanisms in the drug rehabilitation programme.
Ronald, a beneficiary of the Salvation Army’s programme, who was part of the team that met the president, gave testimony to the recovery he has made as a result of the programme and implored addicts to join the bandwagon.
“They’re doing a wonderful job there and for me, if it wasn’t for them I would not have gotten back my family, friends and relatives. I really appreciate what they are doing. Those out there who have families on drugs should visit the Salvation Army and get some advice. It’s time we all live life, life is sweet,” Ronald said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Shaik, who is going through the process of rehabilitation, and undertook the task of helping others in similar situations with the training he received during his six-month stint.
The Salvation Army is an international movement that works in over 120 countries worldwide, with charitable work as its prime objective. It was founded in 1865 in the United Kingdom by William and Catherine Booth as the East London Christian Mission. The theology of the Salvation Army is mainstream Protestant.
In Guyana, the organisation is well-known for ushering in the Christmas season with the annual Christmas kettle appeal in the city, accepting donations large and small.