The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development in collaboration with a number of schools across the island closed off an ‘Ask, Listen, Learn-Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix’ program that sought to raise student’s awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption at an early age.
The closing ceremony was conducted at the Public Service Union Building on Thursday, June 15th, 2017, where students from the Penville Primary School, Bagatelle Primary School, Roseau Primary School, Roosevelt Douglas Primary School, and San Sauveur Primary School showed out in numbers to support.
Minister for Education, Petter Saint Jean, said that his ministry is “intimately involved” in creating means for which children can enhance their knowledge on proper health, safety and other important factors, just as the ‘Ask, Listen, Learn’ program is doing.
“The Ministry of Education has decided to become intimately involved in their lives and have a set course with a certain passage that guarantees them countless opportunities. So my Ministry remains committed to the development of our students in creating environments that are concerned with the health, safety, security, nutritional status, and the psychological well-being of our children,” Saint Jean stated.
The program formed part of Student Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) course at school, and was taught under the guidance of Chairman of the Regional Beverage Alcohol Alliance of Grenada, Dr. Patrick Antoine.
Saint Jean has high hopes that, without a doubt, the program will continue its mission here on out until all Dominican students can get a piece of the knowledge that it has to offer.
“It is my hope that the ‘Ask, Listen, and Learn program will be continued and that all our Dominican students will be exposed to the knowledge they need in order to make informed decisions that have long-term implications for their health and overall well being,” he said.
Meanwhile Antoine said that the Regional Beverage Alcohol Alliance is always committed to addressing challenges that arise from the harmful use of alcohol particularly with underage persons, and is sure that the impact of the program is of a high level.
“These students that we are working with today, hail from five schools across the island, and we anticipate that with the completion of this quarter, nearly three hundred plus, almost four hundred students, there will be an increase in the significance and positive impact which ‘Ask Listen and Learn’ has been having in the lives of the nation’s children,” he said.
He encourages the students to continue making wise decision when it comes to their health and to transfer the information that they have learnt into their homes, school life and play life.
“You have all received a wealth of knowledge, and to whom much is given, our scripture tells us much is expected. As such I want to invite you to continue making healthy lifestyle choices. Yes to healthy lifestyles, no to underage drinking, kids and Alcohol don’t mix,” he remarked.
The ceremony signaled the closure of the second phase of the program where these five schools were targeted.
Students will receive their certificate of participation in this program at their individual closing ceremonies of the program.
The program was first establish in the year 2015.
Such hypoctites we are. ALmost every social event whether its for children or adults is sponsored by a distributor of and alcoholic beverage who pushes their products at those events. Everywhere, kubuli che be saw, appleton, old oak, Dewars, Carib, Heiniken etc. Our social lives have revolved around alcohol. you have a birthday party for your children and there are endless bottles of alcohol on the table (“oh its for the adults”). It is customary for people here to have “a” drink after work on a friday. At church alcohol is served. Police men love it and say they have no problems drinking rum. teach the whole thing. not just what is wrong about it.
Here in Canada schools caution students against the risks of alcohol but little or nothing is said is said about the dangers of marijuana in spite of the fact that smoking the weed is becoming increasingly popular among teen agers. At parties there is an almost even split between alcohol and pot use. One study shows that across Canada 43,000 students use marijuana every day.
According to David Hammond, a professor in the School of Public Health in Waterloo University says *It is a myth that marijuana smoke is less harmful to inhale than cigarette smoke. Marijuana smoke contains many of the same carcinogens as cigarette smoke.* Dr. Hammond also said marijuana has the potential to become addictive.
Doug Ironside. a public health nurse (injury and substance misuse prevention) tells us *regular marijuana use impairs brain development in youth since the brain (especially the pre-frontal cortex continues to grow and mature until one reaches 25 years old.)
Continuation:
Ironside says *Marijuana can impair reasoning, impair judgment and make school very challenging. Marijuana is also harmful to the lungs, causing many of the same problems that tobacco smoke does, including cough, bronchitis and heightened cancer risk.
*We know from research that increased access leads to increased use. So there is a potential for increased use and increased harm. It is going to create a litany of other public health issues to address.
Governments would be doing a service to their communities if they would get this information to the students in the schools. Instead we have national leaders and officials the kids should be able to trust talking about legalizing the weed next year in Canada and whispers of legalization in Dominica.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. (Diploma in Drug Studies) (Pastoral Counselor Certificate)
I think children should use marijuana unless medically prescribed. The brain stops developing after a certain age. There have been studies that show that marijuana can affect brain development before a certain age. After that it is ok to smoke weed. I believe that Marijuana is safer than alcohol and when used in a non smoking manner it is much safer than cigarettes as well as alcohol. Leaders should strive to tell the TRUTH about substances instead of using scare tactics to curb use and abuse. Marijuana has been criminalized and demonized by people like you Mr. Hill without the truth about it even told. The vast potentials of marijuana and hemp are immeasurable even the pharmaceutical companies know that and that is why they have been using it in their medication for decades without us even knowing. the same for cocaine and opium. Teach holistically instead of only teach the negative only. allow the youth to grow properly instead of growing in fear.
Thats like only telling children fire is dangerous and to stay away from fire because it can burn and kill you. without telling then how to make fire, what canaor cannot make it how it can be outed, its effects on the body and other substances, how it can be harnessed and utilized properly etc. you people are still lost in the slavery mentality where you lead by fear.
You can get mad at me if you like,…..as long as the use of alcohol, tobacco, and othe harmful substances are LEGAL, these programs are a waste of time…….look around you. Look at your own homes. See the results of the Legalization of Alcohol….
So how in the world can one effectively tell a child not to do something and make so called wise choices, when legislators and adults are setting a very poor example!!
I am not Muslim… But, one will never see Alcohol legislated in a Muslim community…. What is wrong with Christians?
Is Dominica a Christian nation? Or are legislators to drunk to make wise and humane laws……no real man and women I guess………… Sigh…..
I do not condone the misuse of alcohol but you are wrong in your assertion about the legal use of alcohol in Muslim societies. There a limited number of Muslim countries that ban alcohol outright, such as Kuwait and Iran but even in such predominantly Muslim states as Pakistan it is legally available to non-Muslims, as is the case in the Maldives and Bangladesh In the UAE it is only prohibited in the Emirate of Sharjah. Even in orthodox Saudi Arabia, as is my experience, members of the upper classes will consume- & serve alcohol at their private homes, although strictly forbidden by law.
I know of Muslims who are alcoholics, drug dealers, paros, some park their cabs and spend hours in strip clubs watching women dance naked, not forgetting the Muslim cab drivers who are raping customers in their cabs, so religion have nothing to do with alcohol etc, I was visiting Canada a few years ago and witnessed Muslims in line at the liquid store with their alcohol and beer waiting to pay, you need to will and come again
I read this and as I went on reading I was hoping to hear something about bars and other alcohol vendors being being held accountable for selling alcohol to minors.
I am all for education, but these are children who, by virtue of their age, are easily influenced by their peers.
This effort should be a two pronged exercise. Educate the youth, but if they adult vendors sell alcohol to children, hit them in their pocket with a stiff fine.
I was in Dominica for Creole Festival 2014 and my wife and I were shocked to see the number of school aged children drinking. I remember walking by a bar located on a side street close to First Caribbean Bank. That place was filled with kids drinking beer and other hard liquor.
On a wider note, it is hard to avoid alcohol in Dominica. There are bars and rum shops everywhere.
A program in the schools that uses an educational approach to discourage students from drinking alcohol could only do good. I wish we had that in Canada. Perhaps it is here but I have not heard about it.
Granted there are other problems that should be addressed. But It is hard to imagine one more damaging than alcohol. I wonder if one or more of the companies that make and sell alcoholic beverages has not influenced you to discontinue the alcohol part of your program. Allow me to ask a few pointed questions.
Was it working
If it was not working why would you be wasting time with it
If it was working why would you discontinue it
What issue more needs to be addressed than the use of alcohol among students
Perhaps there are some.
But I dare say this is the only thing that would justify a change.
Anyway, I commend you for caring enough to reach out and provide this kind of guidance to your youth in the issues of life.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald…
The ASK program should be applauded, and must be made part of the social studies curriculum in all schools.Tobacco was not mentioned , but the effects of ALCOHOL and TOBACCO on the nervous system and internal organs, is the most potent of all drugs. Advertising should be a great concern to the advocates of this program, the impetus should be on government putting laws into place on how and where same should be advertised. Alcoholic dependance is at a high level among the rural residents with a of mortality rate, that i believe is not being addressed, the ages of 25yrs + consume both the legal and contraband at a level that creates total destruction of themselves , and added pressure on the national medical institutions.12 step programs are needed to stop decay in the family, vehicular fatalities, incest by fathers and uncles and destitution of the alcoholic. Its like cultivating a beautiful garden, nurturing is utmost in reaching the young, educating is continual. BOB D.
Does this mean the program achieved its goals, failed or simply has run out of funding?The report ddoes not give the reasons for terminating the program. This is an ongoing issue and I think that the Minister of Education should make this part of the normal curriculum. Anyway, the children had a nice outing.
Stupes! you people are so freaking negative. It was a program with a limited life. Where the heck does the word termination come in.
Everything in Dominica has to be approached from a perspective of twaka. I guess you feel so smart after that stupid comment.