01/07/2025
🗞️ STRONG BRIDGE MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, THE SCOUTS OF BURUNDI, AND PSYCHOLOGUES SANS VACANCES JOIN FORCES FOR A MOVING MARCH OF HOPE AND AWARENESS AGAINST DRUG USE
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 📍Bujumbura, under a mild sun, the opening march of the national awareness campaign against drug use took place. The event was organized by the Strong Bridge Mental Health Center in partnership with youth and adult members of the Scouts of Burundi and Psychologues Sans Vacances. This activity was part of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, traditionally observed on June 26 but postponed this year for logistical reasons.
🚩 A Solemn Departure from the Northern Station
Starting at 8:00 AM, groups of youth from the movement, active and recovering drug users in reintegration, volunteer psychologists, community leaders, and uniformed scouts gathered at the Northern Station of Bujumbura. The goal was to march together to the National Headquarters of the Scouts of Burundi, delivering a strong and unified message against drugs and their silent destruction of society.
With colorful digital banners, impactful signs, chanted slogans, and songs related to the theme, the march moved forward in a spirit of activism and brotherhood. Along the route, passersby could read informative posters and handwritten messages such as:
🗣️ “Let’s lift the mask hiding behind addiction!”
🗣️ “An Awakened youth, it's a protected nation!”
🗣️ “Drugs destroys, but the love of sobriety and serenity brings healing and rebuilding!”
💬 Powerful Voices, Touching Stories...
Upon arriving at the National Scouts Headquarters, a modest yet deeply moving closing ceremony was held. The coordinator of Strong Bridge and legal representative of HOPE FOR FAMILY, in his opening remarks, emphasized the need to place mental health and addiction prevention at the heart of national priorities, stating:
> "Addiction is not just a deviation, but often a misunderstood cry for help." Ciza Viateur
A moment of silence was observed in memory of young victims of addiction. Then, a former user, now committed to the prevention and reintegration program, took the floor and transformed his testimony into a powerful advocacy message through a methodical and strategic step-by-step speech:
> “I’ve known life of the street, self-abandonment, loneliness… Today, I live and will live to reach out to those falling into any kind of addiction. Because for a long time, I was seen as a hopeless case by those who only judged me. I hit rock bottom, and society labeled me a forever-lost drug addict. But it was a helping hand that brought me back. That’s why I want to be a voice for my friends lost in the smoke. I march for them. And for as long as I live, I will extend that same hand to others, always. Because behind every drug victim, there is a wonderful person who deserves a second chance.”
Khal Kein
The Scouts of Burundi also declared their commitment to becoming active ambassadors of prevention in schools and communities, by incorporating drug education modules into their regular activities.
Psychologues Sans Vacances , supporting the psychosocial component of the campaign, advocated for the destigmatization of addicted individuals, calling for a human, inclusive, and therapeutic approach.
📊 A Campaign Beyond Symbolism was this opening awareness march crowns a week of intensive actions: school conferences, visits to at-risk neighborhoods, express training sessions for community leaders, and radio/TV broadcasts about the dangers of drug use and the importance of psychological support.
More than just a symbolic event, this campaign marks a strategic step in the fight against addiction in Burundi, by uniting civil society, specialized institutions, youth movements, and mental health professionals.
🙌 A Synergy for the Future
United in purpose, professionals—nurses, psychologists, educators, experienced scouts—agreed on one truth:
> “Healing doesn't come through repression. It comes through understanding, support, and loving with respect…”
— Ciza Viateur
> “The fight against drugs isn’t a one-day battle, but a generational one.”
— Psychologues Sans Vacances
Finally, we expressed gratitude to all participants and shared our hope that this type of partnership will continue with concrete, regular, and grassroots actions for the good of the nation. 📢