On Saturday November 11 a group of 10 Committee Members gathered at the
beautiful setting of Shepalbury Manor in the heart of Stevenage for a day
together to share thoughts and ideas, learn more about helping to promote Drugs
Awareness in our local communities and to encourage each other in our own lives
and work in the name of Jesus.

Shepalbury is the UK home of the Coptic Orthodox Church which is a
mainstream, conservative and Scriptural Christian Church and one of the most
ancient Churches in the world, having been founded by Saint Mark the Apostle.
Coptic means Egyptian and although open to all Christians the church draws its
congregation mainly from Egyptians living in London and the surrounding areas.

Father Shenouda welcomed us warmly and was pleased to be able to accommodate
fellow Christians into his church. At the end of our day he also took us on a
tour of the spectacular Cathedral that is nearing completion on a site behind
the Manor House which is now used for conferences and training sessions.

Our Peacemakers Training Day began with some worship and prayer and
scriptural readings to encourage and stimulate each other in our shared faith.

Readings : Isaiah 2 v2-5



“ In the last days

the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established

as chief among mountains;

it will be raised above the hills,

and all nations will stream to it.

Many peoples will come and say,

“Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us his ways,

so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion,

the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He will judge between the nations

and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into ploughshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

nor will they train for war any more.

Come, O house of Jacob,

Let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

John 14 v 26-27:

“… the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have
said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not
be afraid.”

The Holy Spirit helps us remember and implement Jesus’ teaching, plants the
truth in our minds and remind us when we stray away from it. The result is a
deep and lasting peace and we should have no fear of the present or the future.


John 15 v 5-8:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man
remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you
can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch
that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown
into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in
you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my
Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit showing yourselves to be my
disciples."

 To remain in Christ means i) to believe he is God’s son,

ii) receiving him as Saviour and Lord, iii) doing what God says

iv) believing the gospel and v) relating in love to all believers.

Jesus teaches that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay

close to him, like a branch attached to the vine.

…………

A time of prayer and a sharing of Communion together was followed, since it
was Armistice Day, by a period of reflection in silence in remembrance of those
who have perished in wars.

The TRAINING SESSIONS then
began and spanned the lunch-break.

SESSION 1 Personal Service and Health Education in Primary Schools

It was confirmed that since Peacemakers was considering working with children
in local schools it had to be acknowledged that there is a need for a better
understanding of the philosophy of the aims of the education curriculum. This
would help to ensure that in any work Peacemakers’ undertakes in schools,
focuses on the child.

The basics of PSHE were explained as follows and that these are included
within the programme of sessions held throughout the academic year to reinforce
positive behaviour and relationships.

 

Developing confidence and Preparing to play an active

responsibility and making role as citizens.

the most of abilities.

P.S.H.E.

Developing a safer healthy Developing good relationships

lifestyle. and respecting the differences

between people.

Session 2: Drugs Awareness – General

The Drugs Awareness session drew on the speaker’s wealth of experience as an
ex Police Officer in the Drugs Squad.

He endorsed the comments made in the preceding session such that for those
who come alongside schools which are obliged to teach PSHE, there is a paramount
need to focus on the child.

He confirmed he usually starts by testing the children’s
knowledge about drugs and usually gets some surprising results’ even from the
youngest ones. They are often very well informed.

He then confirms that all medicines are drugs BUT not all drugs are medicines
and refers to examples found in most homes. The apparently innocent and friendly
looking Calpol can be liable to misuse and used far more frequently than it should be by
parents.

A story is often told to the young classes about a bag of drugs hidden in the
High Street and the children are asked to draw a picture describing what
happened and giving details of their thoughts about handling drugs. The results
are quite revealing and show how the typical drugs dealer is perceived as a
‘hoodie’ generally 18-25 years old, at college or out of work. Most pupils
would, if they found the drugs tell their, teacher or their mum.

The types of drugs in common use and their effects was explained
concentrating mainly on Cannabis which is the most common starting point for
drugs users. It has been stated by many that Cannabis should never have been
reclassified by the Government and that there is irrefutable proof that this
drug does have serious and permanent health implications including memory loss
and personality disorders.It was maintained that Drugs Users have a failure in
their lives either:

i) Physically ii) Mentally or iii) Spiritually

If this failure
can be addressed, then there is hope. The individual needs to believe in
themselves again.

Session 3 Drugs Awareness - Cannabis

Since Cannabis was the most ‘popular’ illegal drug in use and the usual
starting point for most users the final session was devoted to it.

Cannabis comes in a variety of ways from the plant Cannabis Sativa and
contains a chemical called THC which gives the ‘happy effect’. These are in
order of increasing potentcy:

i) HERBAL - Dried leaves (Smoked as a cigarette or Spliff).




ii) RESIN - Compressed leaves and flowers ( Smoked through

a pipe or Bong, similar to a hubble bubble).



iii) OIL - Compressed leaves and flowers (Added to normal
cigarettes).

The modern form of cannabis is far more potent than it was 30 years ago and a
high percentage of young people are receiving medical treatment in hospital for
mental problems due to this drug.

It takes 48 hours for the effects to clear the body. The use of this drug
affects coordination in a similar way to alcohol and is increasingly found to be
used by drivers.

USA, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand all have restricted access to visitors
who have drug convictions so it is worth advising young people that may in the
future seek to travel for pleasure or work.



DRUGS TAKE OVER LIVES - YOU ARE NO LONGER IN CONTROL

Closing Remarks :

The event concluded with a brief report from those involved in the Trek to
the top of Mount Kenya and a look at some of the many photographs taken.

The Away-Day was considered to have been a success and agreement was reached
to arrange a similar event in the future.