Anti-Drug School Campaign Launched by Jude Belize Foundation and Youth Services

The Jude Belize Foundation has partnered with the Department of Youth Services to launch an anti-drug campaign in primary schools across the country. The foundation, with the help of a former drug addict, is holding presentations in various schools on the harmful effects of drug abuse. The presentations aim to empower the students by equipping them with knowledge about the harmful effects of substance abuse. Today, the foundation’s facilitator, Steven Lourie was at Santa Cruz Primary School in the Stann Creek District speaking to young people. Lourie spoke to our newsroom about the initiative and what it seeks to achieve. 

Steven Lourie, Motivational Speaker: “One point in time I come in contact with the Word of God and it changes my life. While I was on drugs, I sold every item I have in my house. I sold every item I have in my house, my bed, my TV, my fridge, my stove, everything. My wife left with two children and I was stranded, I left alone. So I decided to just continue in my drug life until I came to the point that I found the Bible and I read the Bible and the Bible made a difference in my life. I prayed that morning and God told me as of today Steven you don’t need any more chemicals in your system. So now I am transferring that to the lives of the young people. Now we are here sponsored by Miss Jude, by Miss Elda Connorque from the Jude Foundation who is sending me around the country to speak to children about the abuse and misuse of drugs.  The reason why Ms. Elda Connorque  had this program is because of one of her grandsons by the name of Jude who passed away at a young age. She’s a philanthropist and she’s trying to help people in other aspects of their lives. So she’s making difference in the lives of others. I’ve been doing these sessions from 2003 when I first came in contact with Mr. Harry Arzu he was the first one that… that led me to speak these sessions. But while I met Mr. Arzu that was way around in 2008 I was still on drugs. But now that I am free and clean, we linked up back, and now that I am ready to present these messages to young people.”

Lourie added that the students received gifts and snacks for their participation.