A “successful year despite challenges” for Drug Prevention Unit

“There is much more that we wished we could have done, but in light of it all we did our best,” according to St. Rose
“There is much more that we wished we could have done, but in light of it all we did our best,” says St. Rose

National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit Officer, Malcolm St. Rose, says the unit has performed well in 2014 but there’s room for improvement.

He told Dominica News Online (DNO) during a recent interview, “There is much more that we wished we could have done, but in light of it all we did our best.”

He said the mission of the National Drug Prevention Unit is to significantly reduce the demand for drugs in Dominica.

“We have done so many things with limited resources in our quest to significantly reduce the demand for drugs on the island and the results have been very encouraging,” St. Rose stated.

Activities undertaken by the unit in 2014 include training and restructuring of a peer helpers program.

“That is a program we use to target the primary schools in particular and more particularly the grade 4 students,” St. Rose said. “So every year we train a cadre of grade 4 students who have become peer helpers, so they will set up drug awareness corners and be responsible for drug awareness activities at their school. That partnership is working very,” he explained.

Among other successful anti-drug activities, according to St. Rose, were an anti-drug quiz at district and national level which was won by the Canefield/Massacre Primary School, Drug Awareness Month and a “massive” performing arts competition for high schools.

“We saw all kinds of talents being displayed and I can say to you the Dominican students have a wealth of talent and skills in the area of performing arts. We held a number of anti-drug rallies throughout various rural communities; we also had walk-throughs in those communities,” he said.

He said the walk-throughs were particularly impactful.

“Very intriguing and interesting. It gives you the opportunity to walk on the turfs of some of those guys, whether they are into drugs or alcohol, whatever form…and because we take to the streets and meet them at their comfort zone, it is very revealing. Some of the things that were shared with us were very insightful and so this was one of the most rewarding activities,” he noted.

The National Drug Prevention Unit also hosted an awards ceremony to recognize groups and organizations that have contributed to its work over the years.

Meanwhile, St. Rose said the unit was able to find ways to work around the many challenges that it faced.

“So for example where we have the challenge of inadequate human resource, those of us employed at the unit, because of the passion that we have for our work, we had to double our efforts. So, we were most grateful to be able to do that,” he explained.

Finance also continues to be a constraint in terms of the number of programs that can be implemented by the Drug Unit.

“We could have done a lot more if we had more financial resources, and so it is always a challenge to deal with all of those programs, activities…but money is an issue,” St. Rose pointed out, adding, “on that note we are very grateful for some of the sponsorship that we have been able to get.”

He believes that community ownership is another area in which there’s room for improvement.

“We are not saying that the communities don’t own the projects that we implement, but we are saying that it is not enough. There is much room for improvement in that area, especially in the area where the community needs to initiate their own anti-drug program.”

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19 Comments

  1. sonde
    January 5, 2015

    you have no idea what you are talking about when you say that the drug prevention unit is a waste of time. Thinking about it they are the best people you could have there although i would agree with you that there programmes could be revolutionized.

    We need to see a more robust approach in the schools and one month of intense programming is inadequate. Not withstanding my personal view, Kudos should be given to them for what they have achieved and the major life changing impact that they have made on the lives of many of our youth in and around the island of Dominica.

  2. Nigel
    January 4, 2015

    Great job my brother. By the way you look mad young in that pic lol

  3. RASTAFARILEADSTHEWAY
    January 4, 2015

    To tackle drug use in DA you do not need more financial resources you need better communication with the coast guard, informants int eh general public, cameras, improved screening, tougher drug laws, radar, decriminalization of marijuana, and finally training and communication with other drug prevention agencies across the region to identify track and to prevent the proliferation of hard drugs. More money isn’t going to solve your lack of performance.

    • my thoughts
      January 5, 2015

      The shopping list u just gave will definitely cost money as “money answereth all things”. The funds will need to be channeled to all the various programs and activities you highlighted, the training and improved communication, surveillance and all come at a cost, a significant one at that. Money is just one of the many resources that the unit needs. A bigger budget gives them more latitude to implement more specially designed programs and activities. just my two pence!

    • Tana
      January 6, 2015

      Aren’t all the things you mentioned going to cost money? With improved communication, cameras, training etc…there is surely going to be the need to training and for the procurement of equipment. You must have heard the saying that there are no free lunches, even when it comes from China somebody had to pay for that. The guy is simply saying that financial constraint is one of many challenges they have had to deal with. Do you know that sometimes they have had to endure budget cuts and still have to produce? Have you seen the myriad of programs and activities they have put out there to help deal with the drug problem especially amongst the youth? Don’t criticize what you don’t understand my friend. Before leaping into conclusion ask questions for clarification!

  4. faceup
    January 4, 2015

    Does these guys have a Twelve Step Program in DA??? Or do they know what that is??

    • lol
      January 5, 2015

      They know what it is and for your information it is the main thrust of the AA (Do you know what this is?). The support group of which I Speak Used To Be Very Active Here At One Point. It was run by a priest and not the Drug Unit, targeting recovering alcoholics. As the name suggests Alcoholics Anonymous is note a group of main stream society and not one that advertises for membership etc…it’s based on sponsorship. You don’t have to be demeaning when trying to find out something OK. You go away and hear somebody speak about “12 steps” u have no clue that it is not a program in and of itself but part of a program but you would chose to insult the intelligence of your own people and country! God bless you!

      • faceup
        January 7, 2015

        For your information I am a recovering addict and now a drug and alcohol councillor at a rehab centre in North America been clean for twenty two years.. Thank you and God bless you

  5. Efficatious
    January 4, 2015

    They are trying so hard but they need the help of the public,They cannot see everything from where they are but the little hidden things you should inform them. Cash rum is bad on its own by putting mariwana into it as a mixture is extremely dangerous. Those selling rum should be warned in writting

    • RASTAFARILEADSTHEWAY
      January 4, 2015

      Rum and Marijuana are obviously not the problem. Cocaine and crack abuse along with the transport of said drugs are the real issue. We have always had Marijuana and rum in the Caribbean, cocaine is the new problem facing Caribbean Islands.

  6. The Evangelist
    January 3, 2015

    Maybe the National Drug Prevention Unit should include Money Laundering into their portfolio since most times drugs and money laundering work hand in hand. They should go after money launderers just as hard as they go after drug dealers, with no respect whatsoever of persons. Also, in order to have real success they need to take their training and awareness beyond primary schools and forth graders. They need to take it to the churches, to the communities, to those that have become patients of clinics, with no physical or visible sign of disabilities and off course to our 21 constituencies. All need to be educated including diaspora, about the danger of drugs and money laundering, since most times they go together.

    • I know first hand
      January 4, 2015

      They do go beyond schools. They have several initiatives in their Drug Demand Reduction Strate go and these include; School Prevention, Community Prevention, Research and Information. There are many programs and activities to include empowerment programs targeting all the areas mentioned. The school prevention and Peer Helper initiative is just one aspect. If you take the liberty to search in the DNO search engine for National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit, you will see some of different things that the unit has done in the past in addressing the issue of substance use and abuse onot the island.

  7. faceup
    January 3, 2015

    You guys not ready yet with no experience in that field… I would fire all of you guys. A very waste of time and government money.

    • Mary
      January 4, 2015

      Faceup I do not share your view. If you are talking about experience what more experience do they need to be ready? These people have been doing this for many years, do you know the criteria needed for the job. They are doing a great job and a lot of us and our children can testify of the great work of that department. How much more experience do they need? It is you guys who voted in an inexperienced prime minister in 2004/5 and think he is the best thing to ever happened to DA. Enough of the hypocrisy!

      Here are 2 definitions of experience;

      1. Familiarity with a skill or field of knowledge acquired over MONTHS or YEARS of actual PRACTICE and which, presumably, has resulted in superior understanding or mastery.

      2. Alternative term for TENURE

      • The Facts
        January 4, 2015

        A sensible person should know they have their obligations, work to do and the PM has his to do. This is why there are different departments to handle these different matters. Therefore, leave the PM out of it.

    • budman
      January 4, 2015

      this is just the typical Dominican comment. peopel are trying something. you are sitting at home doing nothing to help. yet you resort to the easiest thing possible: criticism. this crabs in a bucket non-encouraging behaviour just can’t seem to come to an end.

    • Be real
      January 4, 2015

      Our hospitals have very experienced doctors and yet we are having many negligent deaths! Leave the Drug Unit alone eh. What experience are you talking about? These people a very good at what they do, find something nice to say man. They are not the ones responsible for the junkies or drugs on your streets. Demand Reduction and Supply Reduction have to work hand in hand. Cumulatively these people have almost 30 years experience in their field of work. Therefore your comment is a rather unfortunate one.

      • faceup
        January 4, 2015

        Listen! Do you all at least know the SERENITY PRAYER??? Do you guys have networks available for drug addicts?? Do you all know what a drug sponsor is?? Do you all have Alcohol Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous?? Addiction is a cancer and if there is not continuous treatment there is a 100 per cent chance of relapsing.. And any of you councillors have used drugs before?? Most likely no. THE BEST COUCILORS ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE USED AND HAS BEEN CLEAN FOR MANY YEARS.. Tried to find a meeting to go to in DA there was NONE.. YOU GUYS NOT READY YET….

      • faceup
        January 4, 2015

        @ be real GOD DID NOT MAKE JUNKIES HE MADE HUMAN BEINGS OK !

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