(Above) Charles Howard of STRIDE finds the Republic of Maldives on the map with a little help from one of the delegates.
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The August 2009 Project on Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation
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Our three-member delegation from the Republic of Maldives received a welcoming start to their program with the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Dependency of Northwest Florida. Karen Jurkowich, Chair of NCADDNWFL Board of Directors, greeted them with gifts of cookies, and introduced the substance abuse, rehabilitation, and prevention programs available in northwest Florida. Leo Donnelly, Executive Director and Founder of NCADDNWFL showed the delegates some of the visual techniques he employs in the programs. Irv Williams, Ph.D., spoke on the various issues of addiction and emotion when dealing with substance abuse, and Tim Walker, M.D., shared his expertise on the research dealing with addiction. The meeting turned into a discussion on the various issues faced in working with substance abuse in the Maldives, namely its continued stigma and the challenge of promoting rehabilitation when the law requires punishment for a crime.
As the group toured the Escambia County Regional Juvenile Detention Center with Superintendent Paul Napier, the staff explained the educational and mental health services provided for the youth and how a system of rewards and punishments encourages discipline. The reading program utilized by the educational department made a particular impression on the group, as it encourages reading while offering a fun activity in the form of a DVD to watch for every book finished.
At the end of the day, the visitors met with Executive Director Vickie Horton of the Gulf Coast Kid’s House to learn how the facility allows for the investigation and prosecution of child abuse with the least amount of trauma to the child. The Maldivian Deputy Minister for Health and Family engaged Ms. Horton with questions, expressing admiration for the program and an interest in developing something similar in her own country.
On the second day, Charles Howard and Major General Al Gilley of Students Taking Responsibility in Developing Excellence (STRIDE) met with the delegation. The visitors heard how the General’s vision has turned into a thriving mentorship program, helping at-risk youth move beyond their circumstances to become successful young men.
Later, the delegation visited Pensacola Boys Base on Corry Station, where they were greeted by Administrator Oliver Jones. Mr. Jones introduced the program, and then turned the tour of the building and the grounds over to a member of the program who shared his experience with the group. The delegates valued this chance to interact with a program participant and were interested in learning about his goals which include working towards an education in order to find a job to help support his mother and family. Teacher-In-Charge Bob Cotton, Mental health/substance abuse counselor Englehart Terry, and staff member Jim Brown also assisted in the tour by answering questions about the educational and restorative aspects of the program.
The group also met with Leroy Williams of Pensacola Community Arts and Recreation Association (PCARA), an innovative performing arts organization that works to prevent youth from turning to illegal drugs and violence. After hearing about PCARA’s innovative and successful performing arts program, the delegates started brainstorming about how they might form a creative outlet for the youth on Male as an alternative to drugs and gang activity. In a second meeting with PCARA, they received a real treat when the youth recited original poems and performed songs and dances. One delegate, an Acting Senior Prison Officer, returned the favor by showing the youth a dance of his own. One thing led to another and by the end of the session, he had taught the group, including a Citizen Diplomacy Council intern, all the steps!
Thank you to the many people who participated in this project, including the members of the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council who invited delegates to their houses for home-cooked meals.
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| At the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Dependency of Northwest Florida |
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| From left, Mike Cantrell, two of our delegates, Paul Napier, and our third visitor. Note the welcome sign and flag of the Republic of Maldives on the bulletin board prepared by the youth at the facility. |
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| At Pensacola Boys Base |
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| With Charles Howard and General Al Gilley of STRIDE |
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| With Leroy Williams of PCARA |
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| PCARA students & mentors with delegates, US Dept of State English Language Officer, and Citizen Diplomacy Council intern |
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| Dancing with PCARA |
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| One of the delegates revealed that he had won a talent contest & he proceeded to teach everyone his winning dance moves. |
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| New friends |
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| Infectious smiles – Delegate with his English Language Officer |
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| With Vickie Horton at Gulf Coast Kids House |
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| Presentation of Honorary Citizenship |
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To see all of our delegation photos, go to www.pnj.com & enter "citizendiplomacy" (one word) under the "Search People" feature. Once on our page, select the photos box to find photo folders organized by event.
Visit our calendar to view upcoming events and to see how you can become involved with the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council.
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