Minsk, May 27, 2021
Photo: hci.net.in
According to a new agreement, the Belarusian Orthodox Church and state will cooperate in anti-drug activity.
His Eminence Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and All Belarus and Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Kubrakov met on May 21 to discuss issues of cooperation in the field of drug addiction prevention and the involvement of young people in drug trafficking, reports the Belarusian Church.
“As soon as the problem arose, it immediately became a matter of concern for the clergy,” His Eminence stressed.
The task now, he said, is to review the existing experience and choose the best methods to continue the work of addiction prevention. The Church and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will cooperate to develop a systematic plan for fighting the scourge of drug use and addiction.
In turn, the Minister of Internal Affairs noted: “The agreement signed today stipulates that we will work together in all areas to prevent the drug threat in Belarusian society, to help all people. Adults and children should understand that drugs are trouble and sorrow, leading to nothing good. And today’s event is another step towards achieving this. I am sure that the efforts we are making will save more than one life and the fate of young people.”
Met. Benjamin also emphasized that such work should also involve the Ministries of Health and Education, the media, and public associations.
It’s important “to help people find themselves and overcome adversity, if someone is suffering from these addictions—not only drug addiction, but also alcohol and other forms of addiction,” said the head of the Belarusian Church.
Similarly, Romanian clergy in Bucharest have been partnering with the Ministry of Internal Affair’s National Anti-drug Agency since 2019, and several young clerics involved in youth activities have undergone anti-drug training.
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