The pastoral challenge to restore people from alcohol addiction

Antonella Paliermo – Vatican City

The shelter in alcohol as a means of anesthesia against the difficulties of existence that seems to have no outlet, lack of confidence in the future, poverty, and repression. It occurs in a generalized manner in Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world and does not enjoy international media.

Confidentially, here are those who find good reasons for fighting together against a form of addiction that surrounds newborns.

Alcohol addiction, a real lesion that also affects children

Sister Aurélie Roiné is religious from the French origin of the Jesus Christ group and the center of the diocese of the research alcohol works (Cediraa) in Yamena, the capital of Chad. When he arrived here in 2018, he immediately discovered that alcohol addiction was a “scourge” that destroyed many families and prohibited personal, societal and social development.

For the tail of the Human Development Index, Chad has a population that is largely released to alcohol addiction to “forget to suffer for a few hours”. In recent years, bars have spread, even in small villages, so that the production and sale of local alcohol is still the main activity of many women, especially in the poorest sectors of society. In some villages, there are very few Catholic women who do not devote themselves to this trade.

Through ignorance, many of them give their children Bili-Bili, a local alcoholic drink made of millet, instead of oatmeal. Sister Aurelli says they give her to children “calm them and help them sleep.” This phenomenon is exacerbated by the massive flow of adulterated alcohol that literally overwhelmed the country.

“Despite the legal prohibition of this sale, the price challenge competition. The result is that even children buy it on the edge of the road instead of traditional Cakes “. The nun explains that all cultural symbols that were used to regulate alcohol consumption by calling Prudnce, and even ill -treatment have become so high that many young people go to the disk in the morning and forget to go to work.

Embedic alcohol, fatal and deadly phenomenon

The extremist poverty of the population makes commercial alcohol unknown, but not traditional.

“A bundle of 100 francs, adulterated alcohol, equal to 1500 francs of local beer. There is no possible comparison. Local population impoverishment leads to a prosperous trade of adulterated alcohol, which, as the name suggests, not only contains alcohol, but also very toxic substances.”

Alcohol is slowly killed is Blue

“Alcohol quickly kills and rises, especially young people. Emergency services are increasingly reported by people who have been injured in the battles in which an alcohol addict is involved. The problem is also that the majority of the population, including healthcare employees, do not know that alcoholism is a disease, and therefore, addicts have the right to obtain help, which begins to listen and listen to the borders.”

Thus, the spiral of social marginalization becomes so strong that it is often fatal.

Cediraa, the only poison center for the country

Intuition from Sister Monic Lauren, Rafik, was in 1999 in Chad, along with a small team, and made awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol. Thus, what Cedira would be born, which over time diversified her commitment to responding to the manifesting needs. Nowadays, the center, the only poison center in the country, can recognize an average of five people per month:

Cediraa Resorts to Film Predictions, Fitness On the street, discussions, football matches, and listening. The experience that also extends to other provinces where bishops require training and commitment.

Exchange sets

“The women who produced alcohol, who were aware of the harmful effects, asked for help, which led to the introduction of activities that generate income unlike alcohol. The addicts began to trust us that they wanted to stop drinking, but they could not do this themselves.”

“For this reason, we have developed a care approach, while treating abstinence of sex and a series of psychological and therapeutic support. People who we welcome are usually young, of all religions and ethnicities, and not only addicted to alcohol but also for substances with psychological effects such as tobacco, cannabis or trampol.”

William: Once again, recover social relations

“More than three quarters of people are followed by Sydirane, thus restoring their place in the family and in society,” says Orili.

For example, William, the Muslim: his addiction caused a break not only with his family, but also with his friends. He remembers the little that managed to win separate work, and the missionary remembers it immediately over alcohol. The specific assistance of the center has gradually returned a decent life.

William, saved alcohol addiction thanks to Cediraa’s help

“Since he left the treatment, William tried to regain control of his career, despite the difficulties. Thus, he participated in the re -combination program, with a basic cognitive course, before embarking on a training course for electricians. He spoke to a full runway on the day of his graduation.”

They are unimaginable achievements. “On that day, I met his family – adding Aurelli – whom we gradually gradually relations. What a joy and what is proud to see their brother, who they believed forever, stand in front of everyone.” Because the primary position, and staying in a straight position, with alcohol is committed to every relapse.

“Since then, William has tried to create his own company. Despite the difficulties posed by the local environment, he has not lost his soul and continues. Until I can live from his trade, he is looking for intermittent work, at least often, although he can eat every day, and although low wages, he tries to save money to buy electrical materials.

Recreen taste for life, grow in humanity

“Since I am in Chad, it has gained the field of addiction to me a strong pastoral dimension, with different aspects,” says the nun. “Often you have to deal with the rejected and despised people, and this is what worries it more. Sometimes the refusal comes from street children, and they stigmatize them easily. Hundreds are the volunteers who give themselves to this task,” in the name of their faith. “

The battle against addiction is first and foremost a struggle to help people “rediscover the meaning and taste for life, restore the lost dignity often, their humanity, and to re -discover that they are loved.

Jubilee: Hope of Justice, stocks, brotherhood

From the Aurélie testimony the desire to touch the suffering in Chad, strong like joy, “often overcomes it.” He says that this vital power is not only full of hope, but rather the source of hope.

“Jubileo de la esperanza opens us to the global dimension of the Church and puts us in the company. It is a real thing that we feel that we are not alone, but we support each other. This dimension of solidarity is very strong in Chad, it is good to feel it outside our borders. The jubilee will be more in the power of prayer.”

And he once again confirms that Chad has a great need for justice, peace and brotherhood that exceeds ethnic and religious divisions.

Collective meeting

But the matter must be, the religious, a development that completes the personal development of each individual, where access to education, health and justice is effective for everyone.

“Perhaps we are still far from this, but the jubilee will illuminate our path. We believe that Christ is Emmanuel, God is with us, who came to share our humanity, which walks alongside us.”