New taskforce to tackle social ills in districts
22.10.2009
A new district taskforce to fight against the rise of social ills in the community was launched yesterday by Minister for Health and Social Development Marie-Pierre Lloyd.
Minister Lloyd addressing the gathering at the launch of the district taskforce yesterday
The team is made up of police, social workers, district administrators, youth workers, school counsellors and support agencies such as the National Council for Children and the Drug and Alcohol Council.
Each district will have a taskforce representative to liaise and report on the local situation.
The role of the team will be to identify youths and families at risk and link them up to programmes that meet their needs. It will also set up procedures on how to tackle situations where service providers have to intervene.
The creation of the taskforce is the result of concerns raised during the recent district consultative meetings with President James Michel about the rise of social problems in the community.
In her opening remarks at the International Conference Centre, Mrs Lloyd said the taskforce is a true testimony to everyone’s personal commitment and dedication in the fight to save children, youths and families from social ills.
She said everyone in the community should feel concerned about these social problems and should be ready to give a helping hand.
With the setting-up of the taskforce, more direct action should be carried out to deal with the issues, she added.
Present at the launch were Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton, Minister for Education Bernard Shamlaye, principal secretaries for social development Linda William and community development Olsen Vidot, district administrators, youth leaders and social workers.
Those present had the chance to view a presentation on the background, composition and role of the taskforce. They later formed groups to identify ways and action needed to tackle social issues in the community, coming up with new suggestions about how the team should operate.
In his closing remarks, community development principal secretary Olsen Vidot thanked those present and said even though the task will not be easy, everyone in the community should work as a team to combat social ills.