In recognition of Drug Awareness Month observed in the month of January teachers, parents and students of the St Alphonsus Pre-school held a march to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs last week.
They began from the Pottersville Savannah on the E.O Leblanc Highway and culminated at ‘Ma Boyd’s Bar’.
The students displayed posters with words such as “To Smart, to start! Say no to drugs”, “Drugs kill people stay away from drugs!”, “Keep calm and don’t do drugs!” and “Keep drugs away!”
They were also accompanied by a member of the Drug Prevention Unit, Leandra Cuffy.
“They had fun during the march, they were chanting, singing and dancing,” acting principal of the school Annie Nicholas told Dominica News Online (DNO). “It was a good experience for them.”
According to her, the school participate in such activities yearly.
“We usually do it every year … if we are unable to do the march on the highway we organize it in the community where we are, on Steber Street,” she said.
Nicholas encouraged the youth on the island to stay away from illegal drugs.
“It is wrong to do drugs, it can damage your brain,” she warned. “It can also damage your career…”
She thanked the owner of ‘Ma Boyd’s Bar,’ Veronique Nicholas for providing students with water after the march.
Very proud of the Principal of the St Alphonsus Pre School. Hope this goes a long way to educating others visually that the should simply say ” NO TO DRUGS”. Very good Ms Jasmine
Congratulations, Ms. Jasmine, co-workers, and all from St. Alphonsus Pre-School who worked hard to make this possible.
I am impressed by the pictures of these beautiful children, so nicely dressed, holding up their signs that speak intelligent messages to people of all ages.
To every one else who contributed to the effort made during ”Drug Awareness Month” both up front and behind the scenes to warn people of the dangers of drugs I say THANK YOU. The war on drugs is being fought on many fronts. You are playing a meaningful role. Please continue to speak your message.
God bless you and the children!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Kids that age do not think of doing drugs…..teenagers do drugs for pleasure because their freind s dobit or problems experienced at home may cause them to end up living a troubled life hence they use drugs to alleviate the bad feelings… Be good parents.learn what it mean to be a good parent…reach out to that at risk child…that’s the answer
Kids this age are not often tempted by drugs.
However, two things should be understood.
(1) The messages on the signs the children were holding up were not designed only for those in their own age group. These were for young people of all ages and even for adults.
(2) We want to reach children with the warning that drugs are dangerous before drugs become a temptation to them. It is important to education our kids about the harm drugs can do and how to avoid drugs long before they encounter drugs at school or in the community.
However, I agree with you that we need to learn to be good parents. It is true some kids begin using drugs because of problems at home.
We need to let the children know they are loved and wanted at home. Also let them know they can come to us with anything that is troubling them. They need to feel they can talk to us about anything.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
The messages on the signs were not only for kids in their own age bracket! They were for young people of all ages, even for adults!
Also, drug education should begin at an early age. The children should be taught about the dangers of drug use long before they encounter drugs at school or in the community.
However, you are right when you say we need to learn how to be good parents. Some kids begin using drugs because they cannot cope with problems at home. The children must know they are loved and wanted. It is important for a child to know he (she) can come to a parent with any problem, and talk with parents about anything. They should know parents will listen without judging, and offer love, understanding, and help.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
When I tried to post the above comment it disappeared from the screen.
When I typed it in again and tried to post it, it appeared on the screen along with the first try.
Sincerely, Rev. Don Hill.