Parentscombating substance abuse: "No one recognized that my child was ailing, they labeled him as violent instead"
Strollin' along the Bay of Cádiz Avenue, Juana can't help but think of the illegal shipments that might just coast by tonight, bringing hashish - and potentially clashing with the authorities, as happened a year ago near the Cathedral in Barbate. You see, her son, who had his troubles with drugs and joints, died 19 years ago. And just like Juana, other mothers in this town, these fierce Cadiz ladies, have been fighting to keep sons like hers safe.
But this isn't just a Cadiz issue. As Dora Carrera, one of those "crazy" mothers who fought against drug trafficking back in Galicia forty years ago, will tell ya, it's a fight that transcends time and space. Back then, without resources or protection, these women, taking care of their families like any other mother, stood up to the narcos in the streets, risking their lives to expose the sales of these dangerous substances.
It's an echo of Operation Nécora, though, a turning point in the fight against drug trafficking that still lingers 35 years later. Without these fearless mothers, the society wouldn't have known about the danger drugs bring - and many more sons might not exist today.
But the fight is far from over. Juana meets with Dora and other Galician mothers, virtually, since distance matters less than their shared pain. Each mother has a different family member who's been affected, and the memory of their loved ones gone lingers on. They laugh, share stories, and remember the protests, the songs, and the brooms they once wielded to "sweep drugs off the streets."
They stand strong together, like battle companions, with Enrique León, a former chief commissioner of the Central Narcotics Brigade of the National Police in Galicia, in their corner. He's been through it, knows the mothers, the kids - the ones who are still alive and the ones who aren't. He confesses that without these mothers, Operation Necora wouldn't have been enough to face the problem. He sends them a message: "Keep fighting because you are a very important part of the fight against drugs."
Sadly, Juana and her allies in Cadiz are lacking the same support. They ask for more resources, but not just funds for their associations - they need public health support for the sick, the ones who can't be hidden and their families who often end up getting sick just like them. Despite this, they continue their mission, knowing that it's a fight that no one else is willing to inherit.
- Juana reminisces about the clashes between authorities and drug traffickers on the Bay of Cádiz Avenue, similar to the one that occurred near the Cathedral in Barbate a year ago.
- Dora Carrera, a former fighter against drug trafficking in Galicia, shares her experiences from four decades ago, emphasizing the transient nature of this ongoing battle.
- As mothers, these women stood up against the narcos, risking their lives to expose the sales of dangerous substances, even without resources or protection.
- Operation Nécora, a significant turning point in the fight against drug trafficking, wouldn't have been successful without these fearless mothers, according to Enrique León, a former chief commissioner.
- Virtual meetings with Dora and other Galician mothers provide Juana and her Cadiz allies with a shared platform to discuss their ongoing struggles and remember their lost loved ones.
- The fight against drug trafficking requires not only resources for associations but also public health support for the sick and their families who are often affected.
- The health and wellness of the community, inclusive of mental health, men's health, women's health, and sexual health, are pertinent concerns for these mothers and their advocacy.
- Parenting skills and resources are essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of children in the face of drug-related issues, a topic of interest within the broader context of general news and crime and justice.
- The world of sports, specifically football, often serves as a medium for sports betting, which can be negatively impacted by drug trafficking and related crimes, an aspect of European leagues that has attracted attention.
- Nutrition and skin care are fundamental aspects of family health and overall well-being, areas that are increasingly relevant as the fight against drug trafficking continues to evolve.
