ACAD had its birth after the recent South African Drug Conference held by Doctors For life.
It is based on the International ECAD (European Cities Against Drugs) and is still in the process of being implemented.
Seven Steps
Action plan for City Renewal
2000 by means of 7 steps
In connection with the ECAD
It is necessary to work on the practical implications of what has been mentioned, the goal of making the European cities free of drugs. To attain this we need a comprehensive approach, which is both interactive and integral, working towards the goal which is in the interest of our youth and society. The following 7 steps can be implemented citywide if there is enough spiritual unity amongst the participants. Axiom is that there be a small group, which functions as supervisor. This group should give guidance to the process through feedback and coaching, steering where necessary, and being responsible only to God and conscience. Thus there should be no dependence on state subsidization which can have a corruptive influence. The size of this committee should be 5 persons at the most. They live on the basis of vocation and do not seek their own interest, but that of Gods Kingdom. The following steps should then be taken.
Step 1.
- Restoration of the family as cornerstone of society.
This includes subgoals such as:
* Installing a counselor, who tries to prevent divorce, just as many countries had historically.
* Places where marital and family therapy is given according to the model of Duncan and Stanton.
* Both of these task areas should be subsidized.
* Educating good marital and family counselors (several institutes already provide for training in this field)
* Broad support by means of press, radio, television and internet.
Step 2.
- Development of an appropriate strategy for youth
* Inspection of discos, pubs and other places as a check on drugs.
* Pamphlets should be handed out where possible. This can be done by volunteers who work for drug prevention and counseling institutes.
* Positive activities should be stimulated, such as centres where juveniles can express themselves and reflect on
developing good communication skills and other useful themes.
Step 3.
- Education and instruction in all schools.
* Schools must be reached with good materials, expertise and a positive approach.
* Former drugaddicts can be engaged in this, in conjunction with other experts who do not accept drug tolerance but who want a drugsfree community.
* Good evaluation is essential to make sure that the effect is not an arousal of curiosity but rather that the youth will become stronger.
* Educational and prevention groups can engage in these activities.
Step 4.
- Better help and counseling for clients who are drugsfree.
* Both material and spiritual help must be given.
* For a return to society clients have to receive further education in order to facilitate integration into the society.
* Support must be given in finding and keeping jobs, and expert help must be provided for by psychotherapists and pastoral counselors on a regular basis.
Step 5.
- Mutual co-operation.
* A good relationship should be attained with and between all relevant groups who work professionally, such as physicians, spiritual leaders, social workers, police and representatives of the legal system, etceteras. Constant communication between all parties is essential.
Step 6.
- Furtherance of expertise.
* As the projects develop there will be an increasing need for competent leadership. As education takes a lot of time, training should be started as soon as possible.
* Beside healthcare there is a need for project managers, counselors and supervisors.
* Many healthcare organizations already have training courses or schools for healthcare, which can provide the necessary training when needed.
* A master-organization such as the Association of Christian Counselors (ACE) is needed nationally to keep a list of good healthcare practitioners and counselors and to provide a standard for healthcare and training.
Step 7.
- Taskgroup Ora et Labora.
* This taskgroup should confer about each step and be able to give advice to the supervising group concerning proposals for action.
* Representatives from differing churches should be part of this group. Prayergroups consisting have motivated people should support this whole initiative.
* Furthermore the local taskgroup should uphold positive relationships with every local conscientious group which
supports the goal of a drugsfree society.
* This taskgroup will expand through a continual process of growth.
Drs. Wim Jurg is supervisor, heading a team of pastoral counselors at Tabitha Foundation, a healthcare centre for psychotherapy and pastoral counseling. He also works as supervisor for several institutes for drugsprevention and for the Dutch Department of Justice. Furthermore he is professor for Tabitha Education Centre which provides training for healthcare practitioners and pastoral counseling.
Education:
Drs. Wim Jurg attained his master’s degree in pastoral theology and psychology at the Theological University of Kampen, the Netherlands. He studied Clinical Pastoral Education in Heiloo, Clinical Psychology at the University of Groningen, and has received a broad training in psychotherapy through Dutch postacademic institutes such as the RINO in Amsterdam and Utrecht. He also completed E.T. Gendlin's training for internationally accredited Focusing Trainer in Chicago, USA.
At the PVO in Amsterdam he received his training as supervisor. He is a member of the Dutch national supervision association (LVSB), and since several years is registered as Senior Clinical Supervisor.
Courses given at Tabitha Education Centre,
Lutten, The Netherlands
* Marriage and family counseling
* Focusing
* Coaching
* Supervision
* Addiction (drugs, alcohol, medicine)
* Counseling children
Beside these training there are also workshops for counseling specific illnesses such as Anorexia nervosa/ Bulimia, Incest, M.P.S., Schizophrenia, and Manic depression.
Furthermore there are seminars about the different kinds of psychotherapy (psychoanalyses, behavioral therapy, client-centered therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Family Therapy. etc.)
Tabitha Education Centre offers education at different levels, academically for managers, physicians, pastors etc. From a scientific point of view education is given on a Biblical basis. Education includes supervision and coaching concerning the practical aspects of the different training courses. ACC is an international organization which functions on a national level in many European countries, originated in the UK, and is also active in the USA.
