The Mia Mottley administration is going all out in its drug prevention campaign for 2024 as new evidence suggests an increase in drug use amongst youth within the last decade.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Information Yvette Goddard who delivered the feature address on behalf of Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams provided an update at a church service held Sunday to mark the start of Drug Awareness Month.
“We have all seen an increase in substance use amongst young people in the last decade. In part, because of a worldwide pro-drug use culture. Another staunch factor is the increased vulnerability of the family unit and … decreased community support,” she said.
She gave the Ministry’s commitment and promise: “The Ministry and by extension the government continues to be committed to an evidence-based approach to the creation of drug prevention programming. The NCSA has been mandated to conduct more local research on the drug phenomenon to ensure that we distribute factual and timely information to all persons, especially to our families, to equip them with the knowledge needed to make timely and positive choices and increase productivity and economic prosperity.”
She called on all in society to play their part.
“Collectively we must come together and commit to being a positive response to the prevention of substance use, the abuse at the individual level, the abuse at the community level, the abuse at the national level — like the old adage says prevention is better than cure.”
Meanwhile, a suggestion has come from Rector of the Christ Church Parish Church, Reverend Mark Harewood, for the church and state to operate as one as he delivered the sermon at the church service.
Rector of the Christ Church Parish Church Reverend Mark Harewood.
While speaking to the theme of Drug Awareness Month NCSA Strengthening Prevention, he called for all parties involved in the drug fight to not forget the role the church can play.
“I want to reflect on how we can continue to be in partnership and why we need to be in partnership and I’m glad that the two groups, the NSCA … and other groups see the need to come to church,” he said.
“There is a sense that the things of church are not necessary or relevant when we are doing endeavors to try to help persons in the community and indeed in the world. We know that as we’ve grown as a nation that people have looked back but as we look forward we are still [considering if we should make time for church]. While we may consider [a separation between the church and state] I would suggest that that would be a mistake,” he told the congregation.
While referencing the hymn The Right Hand of God, Harewood said that both parties can work together to find common ground.
“If you are in partnership with the church we can draw from [the work that you’re doing] and that concerted effort. We can share throughout areas, information and the ideas that persons would be able to work out [issues] beyond the walls of the church,” he suggested.
The hall of the Christ Church Parish Church was packed for the start of Drug Awareness month.
He said oftentimes ministers of the cloth and the Government are walking a similar path.
“Sometimes a Minister or Religion may say the same things as a Minister of Government — there is nothing wrong with that as we’re dealing with issues that are affecting people and we are trying in the church to emphasize that you should love your neighbour. At any time persons are working to alleviate and to raise awareness you are doing that — you are loving your neighbour as yourself.”
A number of representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Information were in attendance at the special service, along with members of the NSCA, old scholars of the Christ Church High School, members of the Barbados Police Service and other important guests.
(MR)
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