Apdar gives overview of drug treatment and related services in Seychelles |07 September 2020
Ms Desaubin addressing the gathering (Photo: Jude Morel)
To mark its third anniversary, the Agency for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation (Apdar), in collaboration with the department of health, organised a gathering on Saturday to provide an overview of drug treatment and related services in Seychelles.
The event, held at the STC conference room, was attended by President Danny Faure among other guests.
Apdar which came in existence in 2017 has as mission and vision to achieve a drug safe and prosperous Seychelles. Its mission is to set the standards for quality of care for men and women suffering from addictive diseases by implementing and coordinating evidence based prevention and intervention strategies through a dynamic and responsive multi-sectoral approach.
During that meeting the attendees learned more about Apdar’s role; Harm reduction: A ministry of Health’s Perspective; services on offer by Apdar and its outreach activities.
The chief executive of Apdar, Geralda Desaubin, noted that the agency, which celebrated its third anniversary on August 14, has made a lot of progress over the past three years despite many challenges.
“What started as a small office with seven employees is now employing 71 full time staff and 36 part-timers. In 2011, Seychelles was classified second in the world in heroin addiction and there were already many institutions who were trying to control the situation. But then the government found it necessary to coordinate all the activities and programmes in the fight against drugs abuse. One of the major accomplishments of Apdar so far has been the launch of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2019-2023 and its ongoing implementation. Even with Covid-19, Apdar continued its work in the community.”
Ms Desaubin also noted that they are faced with criticism but the figures and results speak for themselves and for this he congratulated the staff of Apdar for the remarkable work that they are doing, and thanked those working in partnership with Apdar and their clients.
During the programme, there were also two testimonies – one from a client on methadone but who is already working and the other one from a grandmother who is taking care of her son and three of her grandchildren. This was followed by a plenary session where those present were able to ask questions and put forward their concerns.
Speaking to the press after the programme, secretary of state Patrick Herminie noted that “the drug landscape has changed and heroin is becoming less important. Now we have other drugs such as cocaine, crystal meth and other stimulants. This will require a different type of war where attention will have to be placed on psycho-social support and rehabilitation. We also have to step up our effort to reduce the amount of drugs entering the country.”
In his closing remarks, President Faure highlighted the importance of Apdar and gave the government’s commitment to continue supporting it and all those working in partnership with the agency, such as the department of health, with the necessary resources.
He gave his commitment to extend support to all NGOs working closely with both entities.
He said that statistics confirm the progress made and commended everyone involved.
“No one should be left behind and I give my commitment that all those who need treatment will get access to it. The methadone programme has saved the lives of many of our citizens, decreased the level of crimes, brought back love in families and gave many Seychellois back their dignity. This sense of solidarity needs to extend towards those looking for a job and trying to feed their families, and we will continue to maximise collaboration between the department of employment and workplaces,” said the president.
The speakers for the day were : Dr Louine Morel – ‘Harm reduction: A Ministry of Health’s perspective’; Dr Winnie Low-Wah – Services on offer by Apdar and Ms Michelle Sabury who spoke about Apdar’s outreach activities of APDAR (see separate story).
Others present at the ceremony were the Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne; secretary of state for Health, Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd; deputy chief executive of Apdar, Marie-Josette Louise, and chief executive of the Health Care Agency, Dr Danny Louange.
