Local Non-Profit to Fight Drug Trade in Central America

Online, January 17, 2012 (Newswire.com) - A Milton-based nonprofit, Children Without Borders, is working alongside the United States State Department to stem the escalating crisis of drug trafficking in Central America. The nonprofit announced today it received a $200,000 grant from the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) to open a community center and programming opportunities for vulnerable youth in San Jose, Costa Rica.

In an innovative program designed to help make communities resistant to the threat of drugs, Children Without Borders is countering the growing risk of drug use with the Casa Club, a recreation center in the heart of one of the most conflicted neighborhoods in San Jose. The Casa Club will be equipped with spaces for karate, hip hop, computer classes and tutoring. Open 12 hours a day, it will be run by community members and local parents. Current programming includes soccer, yoga and self-esteem workshops, and is expected to expand them once the new facilities open in February.

"The reality in many Central American countries is that children can choose between returning to conflicted homes or playing in the street. It is in the streets where they are more likely to fall into drugs," said Christina Marin, director of Central American operations for Children Without Borders. "We are offering them an alternative with our new community center, the Casa Club."

Last year, the Education Ministry in Costa Rica noted that when children were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, a disturbing number responded, 'narcotraficante' or drug trafficker and, for the first time in 2010, Costa Rica was named to the "Top 20" list of drugtrafficiking or drug-producing nations, according to the United States State Department. Vulnerable children exposed to - or participating in - drug trafficking often experience side effects of the drug trade such as crime and violence.

"This initiative expands upon our traditional programming in preventative medical services and health education," said doctor George Whitelaw, found of Children Without Borders. "We saw such a need for a positive space for children. Many of the youth are opportunity starved. Children Without Borders has already taken teenagers on their first trip to a movie theatre, on their first boat ride and on their first canopy tour."