The DREAM (Drug Rehabilitation Education and Mentoring) Project, by BREADS (Bangalore Rural Educational and Development Society), the development office of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Bangalore Province, released its impact study report at the Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, 17 May. The event celebrated the impact DREAM has made so far. It reaffirmed civil society, government departments, and development organizations’ collective commitment to building a drug-free future for Kerala’s youth.
A past pupil of Don Bosco, John Brittas (Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha) released the report, which was received by Dr Arun S Nair, IAS (Director, Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala), in the presence of Fr. Shalbin Kalanchery SDB (Vice Provincial, Salesian Province of Bangalore) and other dignitaries.
Since its inception in November 2021, the DREAM Project, a rights-based initiative, has empowered hundreds of thousands of children and youth across 10 districts of Kerala to dream beyond drugs through awareness, counselling, de-addiction services, and rehabilitation.
Mr. Anoopraj, State Project Coordinator of DREAM, welcomed the participants. Dr. R. Jayaprakash, Chief of the Behavioural Pediatrics Unit at SAT Hospital, gave an insightful session on substance use and mental health. Fr. Philip Parakatt, SDB, State Director of the DREAM Project, introduced the DREAM Impact Study Team and Dr. Reena Merin Cherian and her team from Rajagiri College presented the key findings of the DREAM Impact Study, highlighting the program’s extensive outreach and effectiveness. Fr. Shalbin Kalanchery, SDB, Vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Bangalore, delivered the keynote address, while Fr. P. S. George, SDB, Executive Director of BREADS, gave a special address. Ms. Reshmi Omanakuttan, Deputy Vice President of Federal Bank, also shared an encouraging message.
A panel discussion, moderated by Fr. Philip Parakatt, SDB, former Kerala State Child Rights Commission member, brought together key government officials to share their departmental efforts in preventing substance abuse among children and youth. The panellists included Smt. Jalaja S, Additional Director of the Department of Social Justice; Adv. Shaniba Beegam, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee; Dr. Kiran P. S., State Nodal Officer for Mental Health; Shri. Pradeep V. A., Joint Excise Commissioner (VIMUKTHI) and Smt. Suja S. J., District Child Protection Officer, Trivandrum. The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Benny Augustine, Project Manager at BREADS.
Courtesy: BIS
About The Author
