Community Antidrugs Coalitions of Callao: Win the game against drugs!

Today, July 25th of 2010 is a day that all of us shall remember. Why? Because an incredible game is on. I’m not talking about Brazil vs. Portugal, nor am I talking about Ivory Coast vs. North Korea; I’m talking about the game that the members of the Coalitions are going to play against drugs: all the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of Lima Center and the Callao met at the Plaza de Armas to celebrate the International Day against Drug Abuse.

8.30 a.m.: our wonderful day is starting in the bus taking us from our areas to the center of Lima.

Families member of the coalitions, young people, adults, technical team,

we are all getting ready! Banderoles, balloons, painted faces and hats, we are all wearing the colors of the coalitions.

Joy and enthusiasm is the only thing visible on our faces while we are walking towards the Plaza de Armas, with the same message as always:

The only one missing is you!

In the meanwhile, the organizational team is preparing the activities in which we are going to participate.

It seems like we’re going to have fun!

10.00 a.m.: arrival at the Plaza de Armas, a LOAT of Coalitions are here. The Coalitions of Cercado del Callao and the Carmen de la Legua are not alone, Coalitions from Villa El Salvador, Los Olivos, San Juan de Lurigancho, José Carlos Mariategui among others are here too.

There are so much people! It’s truly incredible!

And guess who made an appearance on the giant screen of the Fan Fest?

Members of the Coalitions are famous!

Besides, a group of Batucada with harlequins, jugglers and stilts is here to make a bit of noise and give us a lot of energy!!

Our young leaders like Sandra or Claudia of North Callao are also here,

just like Alicia and her classmates

from the Santa Teresita Secondary School in the Ayllu.

And as we always say, age doesn’t matter when it comes to fight against drugs!

What we are doesn’t matter either; even dogs are members of the Coalition!

At the same time in the Salón de los Espejos of the Municipality of Lima, near the Palace of Government and a stone’s throw from the crowded Plaza de Armas, something extremely important is occurring:

Members of the coalitions, heads of various coalitions, and directors from NGOs backing the project (such as Gustavo Ascacibar from CRESER and Gabriel Montoya from SUMBI) are renewing their engagement towards the Coalition.

In the guests of honor table are sitting four persons indispensable to the existence of the community coalitions:

- Gladys Castiglioni, president of the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of the Callao Consortium; she was elected to nationally represent the Coalition and she described the incredible progress of the coalitions during the last years.

- Alexandra Tenny, Official of the Demand Reduction Program of the NAS (Narcotic Affairs Section) officially renewed the engagement of the United States Embassy to keep backing the Community Coalitions.

- The Doctor Percy Janampa, representing the Central Municipality of Lima.

- The Colonel PNP Luis Rosas from DIRANDRO (Peru National Anti-Drug Department);

- And Alejandro Vassilaqui, Director of CEDRO.

And look at that, almost all the members of the Executive Board of the Coalitions (among them Rocío Sosa from the Carmen de la Legua) came to the Salón de los Espejos to show their will to win this game against drugs.

12.00 a.m.: the final moment of this great day has come. The personalities of the Salón de los Espejos joined the members of the Coalitions to celebrate altogether this special day.

Dr. Carmen Masías, Adjunct Director of CEDRO, appeared in this very important moment. And as it is a Football World Cup period, foot balls are symbolizing our fight against drugs.

The giant ball, with the names of the different coalitions on it is going from hand to hand accompanied by the screams of happiness and the songs of the coalitions.