Bishops in Lebanon have agreed to support Liberia’s drug programs: Prevention, Use and Abuse and Rehabilitation. The Bishops reiterated their commitment recently when Attorney Samuel Kofi Woods, II of the Liberia Law Society (LLS) visited Lebanon to follow up and consult on the drug rehabilitation programs in Lebanon.
It can be recalled that in November 2015, the Auxiliary Bishop of Lebanon and President of the organization, Oum El Nour, His Eminence the Patriarchal Vicar of Lebanon, Bishop Guy Paul Noujaim, visited Liberia to discuss the possible establishment of a drug rehabilitation center in Liberia.
Attorney Woods who serves as legal advisor to the organization undertook a tour of their facilities and expressed satisfaction over the level of professionalism demonstrated over the years. He is optimistic that with the support of Oum El Nour, some of Liberia’s drug addiction problems can be addressed through transferrable skills/training such as counseling, agribusiness, fisheries, aquaculture, artistic works and other initiatives.
Oum el Nour is a Lebanese Non Governmental Organization (NGO). It is a well-established organization founded in 1989 to focus on both drug rehabilitation and drug prevention and offers the premier drug treatment program in the Middle East. The organisation has helped over 5,500 young men and women since its establishment providing counseling services for street going youth and teenagers. Oum el Nour provides all its services and programs to everyone without discriminating and free of charge. The organization has established several Centers/Departments: Administration, Rehabilitation Center for Men, Rehabilitation Center for Women, Reception Center, Follow-up Center, Outpatient Center and Prevention Department.
The work of Oum el Nour prevention and rehabilitation is recognized by civil society and health practitioners in Lebanon and abroad, as evidenced by the “European Drug Prevention Prize” received by the Prevention Department of Oum el Nour for its Youth Connection program. It was organized by the Centre Pompidou and held in Strasbourg, France in November 2012, it was rewarded for the first time as an NGO from the Middle East. Moreover, Oum el Nour has been distinguished “Knight of the Cedar Medal” by the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman in 2014 and the most recent was in April 2015 while the OeN’s study on the motivations of drug addicts in their search for treatment won the 3rd place among 39 participants from nine Arab countries represented in the framework of the “al Khalife Scientific Prize” in Bahrain.
Oum el Nour continuously endeavors to implement tested programs and set up new ones to welcome, guide, rehabilitate, accompany, and follow up with drug addicts as part of their sustainability program.
During his visit, Attorney Woods visited various centers and discussed possible training for Liberians in Lebanon. He maintained that this program will also offer another face of Lebanese living in Liberia largely considered as merchants.
Attorney Woods believes that this Program is good for Liberia and will assist the country in addressing the increasing drug abuse problem. The program will also include training for Liberians at home and abroad. The program seeks to build partnership with relevant Government Ministries and Agencies, civil society institutions, the media as well as community based organizations. He hopes that this program when established can traverse the region.
He expressed appreciation to the Bishops of Lebanon and some members of the Lebanese community who assisted with his visit and hope that our country will appreciate the need for such a program,.
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