Do not give up: Trainer

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday October 24th, 2013

 By JENNIFER NKUI

PAPUA New Guinea has a big problem with marijuana and alcohol abuse, a volunteer says. 

Marriettede Brouwer is one of the five volunteers who came to the country to run a two-week training programme on alcohol and drug abuse. 

It was funded by Rotary Netherlands International,  an international organisation that funds projects. 

The training on alcohol and drug abuse was held in Port Moresby.

“Suicides, assaults, domestic violence, rascal activities are all marijuana and alcohol-related,” she said. 

“We have been working very closely with the National Narcotics Bureau during our two-week training programme. 

“The National Narcotics Bureau has done a lot to address alcohol and drug abuse but it just needed a little injection of encouragement from abroad,” Brouwer said. 

The aim was to train doctors, nurses, medical students and people on how to talk to people about alcohol and drug abuse, and how the problem can be addressed. 

“Cooperation from everyone is needed to get things done,” she said. 

“People here are so nice, so open and are willing to learn and get things done.

“I think a lot of good things are happening but you need to empower people to do things. 

“We train women and children to sit together and help each other to break the silence and to keep each other safe.”

Her advice to Papua New Guineans is “do not give up”.

“PNG is like a sponge and everyone wants to learn. 

“Teach women how to talk. I think it will work.”