Dearly beloved, we the Director and staff of the National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit count it a joy and privilege having to address you on this momentous occasion. As you already know, January of every year since 1997 is observed as Drug Awareness Month. This year‘s observance is under the theme, “Responsibility is the key to being drug free”!
Responsibility is indeed the central theme of the bible as everyone is urged to take responsibility for their actions or for the lack thereof. It was Joshua of old who said to his people, Choose ye this day who you should serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord”, such a responsible young man!
We are conscious of the fact that the church has a major part to play in the state of affairs in the wider society. This is so as the community of believers is thought of as salt, thus much of the preservation of our society can be directly attributed to the presence of the church. It is no wonder the bible states that, “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sins and HEAL THEIR LAND!”
Dear friends, we see a level of decadence in our society that goes up to the master as a stench. Substance abuse, crime and violence seem to be on the rise.
A 2006 Secondary School Survey conducted at the nation’s secondary schools with students of forms 2, 4 and with 6th form students of the Dominica State College of a 2369 sample reveals that about; 52% of those surveyed used alcohol, 31% marijuana, 1% crack/cocaine and a much smaller percentage used solvents like glue. This data also suggests that our children begin to experiment with drugs as early as 12 years and that more males than females use drugs.
Beloved, if we know anything about drugs we should know that they are a weapon of Satan against the peoples of the world. The bible equates him to a roaring lion seeking whom he may devourer and it is no secret that this is the “mode of operation” of substance use and abuse. Drugs have certainly come to steal, kill and destroy. In the words of former Prime Minister of Dominica, the deceased honorable Pierre Charles of blessed memory, in patois, “Drugs ne trios L; Lajan, Lajol evec lamor”! We all know by now that he remains incontrovertibly correct. Many of our youths see the “glits” and glamour associated with substance abuse, whereas they find it increasingly difficult to focus on the loss of opportunity through imprisonment, the misery, the erosion of values and the tremendous hardship it brings to loved ones who inadvertently become victims of their drug abusing or trafficking family member.
Clearly, Drugs have a negative impact on the individual, his family and the wider society. This is not the time to pretend to be ostriches who when faced with eminent danger bury their heads in the sand only to fall prey to the attacker, it is time to take action! The church is hereby called upon to be proactive, remain constantly in prayer, for prayer changes people and things. It would be a mistake of the gravest kind if our churches fail to address this very serious issue in our midst, for the issue of substance use and abuse must find its place on our pulpits and not only during Drug Awareness Month.
The church also has its role to play in the rehabilitation of substance abusers and also has a responsibility towards preserving the mental health of individuals particularly its followers. Like the National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit, you too must continue to promote programmes and activities that encourage the non-acceptance and non-involvement of our people in drug abuse practices, for this enhances the social and psychological well being of the congregation and wider community.
No man is an island. The unit has over the years enjoyed a close working relationship with faith based organizations throughout the island. We kindly ask that you continue socializing your congregation especially the youth in a drug free environment. Ensure that members remain open and approachable especially the leadership, that persons feel free to vent as the lack of support and loneliness is a driving force towards substance abuse and mental illness by extension.
Truly, responsibility is the key to being drug free and an essential pillar in character development, once again we call on every member of your congregation to make a personal commitment to be responsible, a decision that will please our master immensely.
We take this opportunity to thank you for your unwavering support over the years and do wish you a bright and prosperous 2010.
Thank You!
Don’t you all have a problem with the use of religious language to address an issue of public health?
Whether drugs are a weapon of
satan is irrelevant to the public health repercussions of drug abuse and misuse. Couching the message in this particular kind of religious prattle makes their work more difficult. Many fundamentalists will say if drugs are a weapon of satan then maybe the answer is exorcism or all night praying. Victims get victimized not just by the drugs and drug dealers but by religious nutcases.
Peace,
The Drug unit is doing a pretty good job as Allah (God) will recompense the people for what they do, He is never unjust to His creation.
However, it is our same institutions that do not address the issue of alcoholism. There is no such thing as responsible drinking. Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs in this country. It has killed the most people down here. The Bensen and Hedges and the other brands of cigarettes, what are we doing?
We are a people of double standard in this country. Use the marijuana to make shoes, clothes, bags etc not for smoking, we had an eco-store in Roseau some years ago, we can produce marijuana on a massive scale to make clothes, soaps and invest in our scientists to do medical research as it can be used to treat glaucoma. This will create jobs in this country.
The same cocaine plant is used to make pain killers…so I appeal, use the plants, stop the hypocrisy, stop the alcohol.
Congrats to the DAPU especially with regards to the work that goes on in the prisons, mental health ward and in one on one couselling sessions with drug addicts. All the best in 2010!
Very powerful annd well articulated message here from the National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit, this team of HARD WORKING men and women is doing a tremendous service to this country and is worthy of commendation. They are unrelenting in their stans and fight against drugs as throughout the year they initiate plans and programmes with a national focus, addressing the drug situation at various levels with whatever limited resources that is made available to them. I remain very proud of this team and pledge my continued support towards making D/ca as drug free as possible!
No joke! Too much weed-smoking bums in the place. Ganja smoking is bad for the health, crack is the devil, coke is killing our youths. A few question for the gov officials, where the hell all these synthetic drugs coming from? who brings it in the island? how do the guns get there? We know ganja is grown @ home, at least. We punish the youths and the real gangsters go untouched because they can fork out big $$ for those in charge to turn a blind eye.
THAT’S A VERY GOOD MOVE FOR THE AWARENESS OF DRUG MONTH, NOT ONLY IN JANUARY, BUT DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.
ITS DREADFUL WHEN ONE IS PASSING THROUGH VILLAGES LIKE MARIGOT, WESLEY, WOODFORDHILL,CALIBISHIE , GRANDBAY AND THOSE PLACES, FELLERS LOOKING LIKE ZOMBIES. MESS UP EYES, FUNNY HAIR ON THEIR HEAD AND SO FORTH. ITS SCARY.
THE CHURCHES HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR THESE PEOPLE. MAY BE THE VILLAGE COUNCILS IN EACH AREA COULD MOBILIZE EACH CHURCH IN THEIR COMMUNITY TO RAISE FUNDS AND THE GOVERNMENT TOO,TO SEND THESE GUYS IN SOME BOOTCAMP OR SKILLS TRAINING CENTERS TO LEARN SOME SKILLS. OTHER IDEAS AS FISHING GROUPS, RENTING AGRICULTURAL LANDS TO GROUPS, MECHANIC SHOPS, AND MUCH MORE. GET RID OF THOSE GUYS ON THE STREET AND LET THEM BE SOME VALUE IN THE COMMUNITIES.
IF THEY REFUSE AND TOO LAZY, NEXT TIME WHEN CAUGHT LET THEM PAY HEFTY FINES!
SOME OF THE SHOPKEEPERS SHOULD ALSO PAY HEFTILY TO SELLING ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTES TO MINRS UNDER THE AGE LIMIT.
PARENTS SHOULD ALSO TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S ACTION.