Fifteen primary schools were recognized on Tuesday for participating in the 2012-2013 Peer Helpers Program; an initiative of the National Drug Prevention Unit (NDPU).
Director of the NPDU, Jacinta Bannis, said the program was implemented to replace the drug free clubs which once existed in schools.
“We launched this program last year October. The initiative was to strengthen the Drug Prevention efforts at the schools. The strategy is to have a cadre of students who will help sustain the work of the NPDU within their schools and also in the community by extension,” she said.
St. Luke’s Primary, Morne Jaune Primary, Giraudel Primary and the Soufriere Primary were recognized for being the top four performers in the program. St Luke’s Primary was awarded a shield, $500 cash prize and a gift certificate from Jays Bookstore for placing first.
Bannis urged parents and teachers to be better role models for the students.
“I want to call upon the teachers to be more of a role model to them and to assist them because the peer helpers program will help to strengthen the work that we do. I want to call on parents to be role models also and to teach their children values which they will grow with,” she stated.
She pointed out that the basic principle of the program is to enable children to inform each other about the dangers of drugs.
In the meantime Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Helen Royer, called on schools to share the responsibility of drug prevention initiatives with the communities.
“Drug education is a fundamental component of a comprehensive approach to dealing with drug relates issues,” she stated. “It is acknowledged further that children will be more likely to make appropriate decisions about alcohol and other drugs if preventative measures are accessible. The school environment must be drug free to sustain such an initiative. The school must realize that it shares the responsibility for addressing the alcohol and other drug issues with the community and it cannot be solely the responsibility of the ministry of health.”
She added that this program is a success and can lead to the formulation of a school policy which can be replicated in other schools.
Royer also noted that the exposure of children to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs within the family is a national concern that cannot be ignored.
“It is obligatory therefore; that the curriculum is designed to attract these early learners and it should integrate all aspects of the child health’s development including drug prevention. It is with this in mind that the National Drug Prevention Unit continues to employ all possible avenues to save our youth,” she said.
And the other pics?
Congratulations St. Luke’s School. Keep up the good work of awareness of what illegal drugs could do to the entire body, most importantly, the brains. Children need healthy brains to study and learn. Spread the word.
Parents should play an important part in their discipline and never cease doing so as long as they are still under-age children and their responsibility.
Note how innocent they look. Yes, sweet little ones and innocent, God’s children. May they grow up to be adolescents and then adults in that manner.
Dear little ones, may God bless you, help you and protect you!
well done to the SLS ST LUKES SCHOOL ONE OF THE BEST ON THE ISLAND
Congrats to St. Luke’s. Keep up the good work. Old Boy.
Go St Luke’s!