Shared Responsibility

Colombian ambassador at Girvan Academy

Written by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed) Friday, 05 March 2010 00:00

THE COLOMBIAN ambassador to the UK went to Girvan Academy to hear how the school is supporting his country’s Shared Responsibility project against drugs.

Mauricio Rodriguez praised the school when he paid a visit as part of an official trip to Scotland.

Pupils have previously had a video link to Francisco Santos Calderon, Colombia’s vice-president.

The school was also visited by Ana Maria Caballero, advisor to the vice-president, back in 2008.

Shared Responsibility is the Colombian government’s flagship campaign.

It spotlights the social and environmental devastation caused by cocaine production.

In the last 20 years, 2.2 million hectares of tropical forest have been destroyed to make way for coca plants.

In addition, hundreds of Colombian families are displaced from their homes and many are forced into the illegal industry through fear and desperation.

Girvan Academy also works in partnership with the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA).

And the school has put the Shared Responsibility project across the curriculum for S2.

Seniors in S5 also look at Colombia in a range of subjects including history, modern studies and geography.

Girvan Academy has also developed a learning support framework which can be adapted for any area of substance misuse.

Mr Rodriguez said: “I had the opportunity to learn about the work the Scottish Government, police and institutions such as Girvan Academy have done, and I am very pleased to see the positive results.

“Scotland has the same challenges as Colombia in fighting thisphenomenon every day.”

Detective Superintendent Willie MacColl of the SCDEA, said: “The illegal drugs trade is a global problem and it requires a global network to effectively tackle its highly damaging effects.

South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan said: “Girvan Academy now has strong links with Colombia through the outstanding work being carried out by the pupils in the fight against class A drugs.”

In 2009, Girvan Academy picked up a Young Scot community award for its work in the Shared Responsibility project.

During his two-day visit, Mr Rodriguez also met Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill at Portobello High School – now taking on the Shared Responsibility project using the framework developed by Girvan Academy.

l In 2008, 79 people in Scotland died from an overdose involving cocaine – up from 47 in 2007.

The risks of death are higher if the drug is mixed with another drug, such as heroin, or indeed alcohol.

l In 2008/09, the SCDEA seized almost two tonnes of illegal drugs from Scotland’s streets, with an estimated street value of almost £47m, including 1011kg of class A drugs, 122kg of class B, and 756kg of class C.