Kinshasa, October 5th, 2022 (CPA).- The Asbl « Minzoto » and the Civic, Patriotic and Social Action Education Service (SECAS) of the FARDC launched, on Friday at the Protestant parish of Camp Lieutenant Colonel Kokolo in Kinshasa, the support project for the integration of young vulnerable drug users in military camps.
In his speech for the occasion, the special adviser to the Head of State in charge of changing mentalities, Jacques Kangudia, who took part in the launching ceremony of the said project, described consumption as « a scourge to be fought ».
drugs by Congolese youth. Affirming his support for the success of this joint SECAS/FARDC and “Minzoto” project, Jacques Kangudia expressed the wish to see this project extend to all the provinces of the DRC. « Each Congolese must take responsibility for a modern youth by changing behaviors and mentalities », he explained, specifying that this « construction site » is already underway in accordance with the vision of the Head of State Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
Drug addiction, a reality in military camps
Previously, the president of Asbl Minzoto, Delphine Nzuzi, indicated in her opening remarks that the objective pursued by this project is to fight against the absorption of toxic or narcotic substances by young dependents living in the camps. military.
She acknowledged that at « Camp Kokolo, drug addiction is a real fact », before expressing the wish of the authorities of the country in general, and those of the armed forces in particular, to see young addicts integrate into society. to serve the nation in a useful way.
Delphine Nzuzi affirmed that the specifications of the support project launched jointly with SECAS and the FARDC chaplaincies (Catholic, Protestant, Kimbanguist, etc.), include in particular psychosocial, educational and spiritual support, the installation of a counseling office and treatment for drug addicts, as well as the creation of a detoxification center at Camp lieutenant colonel Kokolo, with regard to the Kinshasa garrison. It should be noted that on the sidelines of the official launch of the said project, experts in drug addiction/toxicology made presentations to raise awareness, focusing on three main themes:
“drugs, a danger for the FARDC”; « The Church’s Perception of Drugs » and « The Physical Consequences of Drugs ». This ceremony was attended by several authorities, both civil and military.
