Gov’t lauded by Salvation Army for role in fighting drug addiction

Patrons at the fund-raising event (DPI photo)
Patrons at the fund-raising event (DPI photo)

The Government was on Saturday applauded for its contributions in the fight against drug addiction and abuse, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

Delivering remarks at the seventh annual gala fund-raising event of The Salvation Army (TSA) Men’s Social Centre, Divisional Commander of TSA Guyana Major Matignol Saint-Lot expressed his gratitude to the government as it was through it, the drug treatment programme “was made possible.”

“A special thanks to the government of Guyana who has been helping this special programme of the Salvation Army which in turn has been helping men who have been caught up in drug addiction,” he stated, according to DPI.

Mark Butts, a recovering addict and benefactor of the programme shared his story with members of the audience. He said that having completed the necessary steps he now has a stable job and a good relationship with the people in his life.

Recovering addict and benefactor of the Drug Treatment Programme, Mark Butt. (DPI photo)

“I am grateful to God for the Salvation Army creating a programme like this and I am grateful to the Government for supporting the Salvation Army to help people like me,” Butts declared, according to DPI.

Present at the event was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who underscored the role of the Salvation Army.

“Today as the world is embroiled with conflict and confrontation, you need many more armies like the Salvation Army to make peace and be able to resolve differences in a way that can promote social cohesion.”

Salvation Army Men’s Social Centre, Divisional Commander of TSA Guyana Division Major Matignol St-Lot (DPI photo)

Nagamootoo complimented the organisation for their dedication, noting that “if you start changing the life of one person at a time, it is possible to change the society.” He encouraged patrons to donate freely and openly to the Salvation Army.