Health minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, is concerned that the abuse of alcohol and drugs has become a health and economic burden in Dominica.
Dr. Darroux was delivering an address for Drug Awareness Month 2019, which is being observed throughout January under the theme, “Youth, let’s talk about alcohol and other drugs – a conversation that should change your life.”
“According to the world health organization, approximately 3.4 million people die every year from harmful use of alcohol leading to many diseases such as liver, mouth and throat cancer, alcohol syndrome and other alcohol use disorders,” Darroux stated. “Alcohol use is intimately associated to 22% of all suicides, 22% of interpersonal violence and 15% of traffic Injury.”
He pointed out that a review of data on alcohol consumption in Dominica shows that in 2016, it was estimated that the nation’s average drinking population consumed 8.2 liters of alcohol per year and 34.9 percent of males and 7.8 percent of females are considered heavy episodic drinkers.
“This means that these persons drink at least 60 grams or more of pure alcohol on at least one occasion over the course of thirty days. Over the past year, it has become evident [that] alcohol and other drugs have become a health, social and economic burden not only to the abuser, but the family and the wider society,” he stated.
The Health minister admonished Dominicans that “as a nation we need to look at the destructive behavior that is overpowering our nation, begin a serious conversation and take action to reverse the action of alcohol and other drug abuse on our vulnerable population, especially our youth, remembering that they are our future.”
He said the Ministry of Health and Social Services will continue its drive to educate and empower individuals on the uses of drugs.
“However, as a nation we should be mindful and remember that it is also our collective and individual responsibility to curb the trend of alcohol consumption and the use of other drugs among the population, especially our youth,” Darroux advised.
Activities planned for Drug Awareness Month include two awareness walks and rallies in Portsmouth and Roseau to be held in collaboration with the Youth Division, a grand exhibition at the public library, which will feature the work of several departments and two “don’t drink and drive” campaigns, one at Pont Cassé and the other in Roseau.
If you think it’s a problem then ban carnival, because that’s what it promotes.
So true Darroux. As a nation we need to look at the destructive behavior, conduct , policies and practices of this DLP government that contonue to overpower and kill our nation. We need to begin a serious conversation beyond electoral reform and take assertive steps to reverse the action of this DLP administration that continues to abuse authority and exposes the vulnerabilities of oir population, especially our youth, our future.
I admonish the concern of the Minister of Health. However, the conversation should be held by a non-political entity. Dr. Darroux may have good intentions but the political atmosphere at present does not allow for the reception of this message. Drinking excessively should be condemned based on the possible alcohol poisoning and its affects in the nervous system. Whether someone vote’s labour or freedom or uwp, the vote should not hinder the perspective of the information received. My Dominican people please use reasoning over emotions during this heavy political season. Remember, each person needs to examine his or her lifestyle and make sure to drink responsibly.
Love one another as one self. Blessed Love
Enlightened
Darroux, you have this wrong, big time. Your title, or theme should read: Big Bobol., Corruption, deception, misuse of States Money and abuse of poor people has become a serious health and economic burden in Dominica says Darroux. This is it Darroux. No cocomakac please. You reside in glass house, don’t throw stones please. We have failed committed leadership in your company, how in earth you expect Dominica and its people to prosper in a decent life, when they have to be quing up begging for money to feed their children, from you failed , incompetent Skerrit and corrupt Labour Government, Go write a book Blackmore and leave us alone. Mind your funky business. Go away, stop talking and writing BS. Get this failed Labour out of our business. Go away Skerrit, Go away Blackmore, Go away Isaac, Go you others in this corrupt political Labour camp. Skerrit must Go. Get Lost.
If the DLP/Mr Darroux wants to take effective action to reverse DRUG/ALCOHOL addiction , the minister may have to start in his own backyard/constituent . I don’t want to be looked on as picking on TI SAVANNE , but the illegal produced RUM of the village , is creating Medical Havoc , nothing but POISON. On another note , this initiative is long overdue. Can the DLP or will the DLP , Churches , Schools come on board to make Dominica a Drug free state? will Pirate and the rest of Dominica’ Alcohol traders curtail their activities in poisoning the Neurosystem and all internal organs ? Dominicans are really FOOLING themselves believing that the Island is NATURE , no is my answer, Nature is opposite to HATE , ALCOHOL intake , Crack Cocaine abuse , Murder , Child /Domestic abuse and i must end with MOUVAISE LANGUE . Is this the HOUSE that NATURE lives in ? . The answer is yours .
At election time we keep them inebriated; they get drunken till the day to cast their votes: in an inebriated state they vote for the labor candidate who provided them with alcohol, some of the youths, the young voters for the first time had their opportunity to taste their first drink of rum.
They get hooked on alcohol which is a mind altering substance, and becomes alcoholics for the rest of their natural life. Now the concentration of this government is to legalize marijuana which is even more detrimental than alcohol; it is a mind altering drugs which literally destroys not only individuals, but complete families in the process of one in a family hooked on marijuana!
We want to hear about the completion of the Chines addition to the Princes Margret Hospital, we want to hear you tell us what happen to the money the Mexican government gave to our people for the a new Hospital in the village of Marigot!
The trivial hogwash you are spewing means nothing!
Dominica is a lawless country and most of our issues lies with poor governance. OUR POLICE DO NOTHING. No one asks you for your ID when buying alcohol. So many people drive under the influence it’s not funny. People openly smoke marijuana. Tell me who does the blame fall on when people take ILLEGAL drugs publicly with no fear of repercussions.
you know what I don’t understand, how comes on every street corner there is someone selling Alcohol, close to schools, Churches, residential areas.. anywhere people set up bars and temporary structures to sell alcohol. half of these persons don’t even pay liquor liscense. This foolishness need to be stopped. Alcohol is too easily accessible in this country
Maybe the Government should look to support the likes of Vanley Joseph and the establishment of a rehab centre in Dominica: – https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/drug-addict-pleads-for-rehabilitation-centre-in-dominica/
Just a thought Mr Darroux? Comments please.
This has been the norm in Dominica for centuries. Maybe the government should make food prices cheaper than alcohol and increase the chances of people living healthier lives.
Before Maria every single fete and sewo around the country was sponsored by the parlrep and government of Dominica . Apart from village feast and fete the government arranged sewo to get people, both young and old, men as well as women drunk as if they wanted to get people drunk so they would forget the misery they put them in and now Darroux has the gutts to say that it is a serious problem? If there is one thing we must give the government credit for is for creating a paro nation. They destroyed the entire country
What exactly is the government doing to curb or discourage alcohol and illegal drugs consumption? Are there proper rehabilitation facilities for those who become addicted? The country needs action not simple academic speeches. There is an urgent need for alcohol and drug preventative and rehabilitative measures. Presently, the local healthcare system is severely inadequate to offer restorative treatment and care to afflicted persons. This current administration seems to be tall on lip service and dangerously undersized on solutions.
Too many critically important services and facilities are lacking or malfunctioning in this country. This shortens the lifespan of the residents. Better must be done.
I agree with Darroux every 3 days is a fete. To promote our tourism? DDA does nothing, except organize fete, fete and more fete. All we offering if a fete, and at every fete what do you see?
Fellas wearing penny-loafers with shorts and open shirts showing of their rib cage with either a glass in 1 hand, and a bottle in the other, a plastic glass in both hands, or a glass in one hand while throwing up a gangsign with the other. Don’t believe me? just check facebook after a fete
Darroux, Skerrit and the DLP created the problem and now he crying? Next I guess they will say Dominicans don’t want to work since it’s another problem they created
Alcohol and drug abuse have a direct correlation to poverty. The people are poor. You can’t get the people off welfare by simply giving handouts. You have to create employment and build capacity.
Yes, I must say that alcohol consumption and drug use has surpassed being just a recreational activity. This is why I am so concerned about the legalization of cannabis. For such a small country we have such a high rate of consumption (the Caribbean in General). We all need to push in some way and advocate against this, especially amongst our young people. But what can WE do? Vendors can ask for ID’s when selling, don’t allow the people to overconsume, parents your children should not engage in these activities with you and others or even see you engage in such activities. The little things go a long way
So what measures do your lazy government intend to put in place to curtail the use? Even some children are drunkards now. A lot of empty rhetoric by empty MISLEADERS…Your minister friend in the Valley (McIntyre) seem to be applauding the use of alcohol,because he said (not verbatim) UWP parl reps are coming to rum shops to MOP people’s drink,and are not making drinks for people.
Are DLP ministers fighting with each other now? Why are you all fighting each other so.No wonder you all are in so quickly!
Get the hell out of my computer screen!
Gang of failures!Wicked leaders!!!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now