Drug rehab centre ‘urgently needed’ in Dominica

Malcolm St. Rose

Senior Drug Abuse Prevention Officer Malcolm St Rose is calling on the government to construct a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation facility on island.

“Being that treatment is part and parcel of the prevention approach, it is our dream to see the establishment of a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation facility on island,” St. Rose said while addressing a national consultation held here recently. “We may not arrive at the ultimate goal in a heist but in the interim a halfway house will suffice.”

According to him, any country wishing to address alcohol dependence and other issues of chronic drug use such as vagrancy, must possess a keen interest and in this regard, take intentional steps towards the establishment of such a centre where those impacted can be treated and rehabilitated.

St. Rose said in view of what one can refer to as a rapid decline in society with respect to a general disregard for law and order and where the rights of citizens are not preserved, where life itself is not respected as much, “a call for a treatment and rehab centre is as urgent as the proposed new hospital, the reconstruction of the much-talked-about Marigot Hospital and any other health facility anywhere on this island.”

The Consultation was held under the theme “Resilient Families, Strong Communities”.

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18 Comments

  1. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    April 24, 2019

    This is a great initiative and one that this government will never undertake. If citizens are sober, they will not vote Labor. In their right minds, their decision making will not favor this government. Cheap Cask Rum has a desired effect and it helps to maintain power at all cost.

  2. d-a born
    April 24, 2019

    I agree, It definitely is needed, but D/ca doesn’t even have a competent hospital, which is sad and ridiculous.

  3. Karl Orndem
    April 24, 2019

    as a drug user i believe that drug education is also very important. We need to get away from using scare tactics and D.A.R.E propaganda and meaningfully engage young adults about both sides of drugs. As a youth, fear of drugs was drilled into my head and that of many of my peers. Today, i smoke regularly, as well, many of my peers have gone on to harder substances, thus ultimately ruining their productive lives. But i have not given up hope for my fallen brothers and sisters. I this to urge a different approach to drug abuse as we all know that pharmaceutical drugs have also contributed heavily to the opioid crisis. Youth should be knowledgeable of facts like cocaine is found in most most anesthesia as well as many throat lozenges. There are many prescribed drugs that contain marijuana and its active ingredients, morphene, opium meth, ketamine etc. But we think because the man in the white coat gives it to us (usually at inflated prices) and everything is perfect and as it should be.

  4. pal_loot
    April 24, 2019

    Holy Redeemer Retreat House is up for sale……

  5. Ms. D
    April 23, 2019

    Too many people sprung out on the streets of Roseau. So i second this!

  6. Joseph John
    April 23, 2019

    Am I wrong in thinking that Mr St Rose is a government worker, a civil servant ? There is a right way to do things. His idea is a great one. The awareness of a rehab programme already exist so the next best idea is communicating with the head of his department (his PS)by means of a memorandum to be formed into a cabinet paper to be considered by the Cabinet.
    There is a world forum on this issue which can attract technical and financial assistance. But we have no excuse for improving the situation. But again everything has to be looked at with political eyes.

  7. I'm from DA too
    April 23, 2019

    My high school buddy.
    Always a positive and caring mind.

  8. Ibo France
    April 23, 2019

    This is a government that talks to itself; the government needs to be more consultative. The administration could create a think-tank made up of the best and brightest Dominicans with expertise in a wide variety of fields. This group should be apolitical. Members would be charged with providing the government with ideas and advice to solve the country’s social, economic and political problems. There are too many square pegs in round holes in the public service resulting in low productivity. Civil servants must be promoted meritoriously and not by close political affiliation to the party in government. Government should work for everybody and not just for a meager few. All citizens should be given a fair chance at success.

  9. weh
    April 23, 2019

    When the govt wants to build a state malice before they build a hospital or drug rehab centre that shows you where their priorities lay.

  10. berry
    April 23, 2019

    long overdue..priority….no politics needed in this..come on man…basic facility like this..awa man…stups tan

  11. REAL!!!!
    April 23, 2019

    As I have said previously this GOVT needs to use a100% of the money they obtain from Illicit Drug bust to finance a drug-rehabilitation center in Dominica.

    If needed go to parliament and amend the laws to facilitate the process.

    We have never had such a highly incompetence bunch in GOVT.

    • MR DOMINICA
      April 24, 2019

      while I agree with the idea of a rehabilitation center I think an all out effort should be made to stop the importation of the stuff which is the cause of addiction .Stop the boats at sea by getting a few bigger coast guard vessels , when caught the boats should be destroyed and those caught and convicted should get not only heavy fines but ten or more years in jail at present those caught are asked to pay fines which amounts to change from a piggy bank which they consider a joke while the country is being destroyed

      • Health
        April 24, 2019

        The problem with the war on drugs is it just does not work. The more money we throw at war The more violence we generate and the higher profits become for the suppliers. This approach pretends that the problem of addiction comes from outside and can be stopped at the border. This is simply not true. addiction starts at home and can be satisfied by almost any substance or behavior. If we wish to stop the abuse of drugs we need to Address the source of addiction which starts at home. most of the world has realized the shortcomings of the war on drugs. The war on drugs exacerbates the very problems which it claims to address.

      • Karl Orndem
        April 26, 2019

        you can never stop the trade. They coming in in all ways. In containers, in the mail at sea, by air all ways. You will catch one boat and boast of a big seizure, but that would just be one boat out of 10. No problem they account for that. You cannot stop the trade, just like you cannot stop the economics of demand and supply. With no demand, there will be no supply. Sad, but this is the simple truth. If so, the so called “war” on drugs would have been over since the 80’s and 90’s.

  12. Watching
    April 23, 2019

    I concur with you bro. Im already seeing employment there for some people. Brilliant. Now I hope the necessary ministry take this and run with it quickly. Long overdue. Use the money wisely. Boy I would shake your big toe. Great suggestion.

    • Where is your leadership?
      April 23, 2019

      I was not born in this country. I am aware of the cultural difference from my country and DA what both countries have in common is a huge epidemic of chemically dependant people! The difference is my country is proactive with helping people who suffer from this disease and lifestyle…I live here now so I see the Stark difference in a countries impact on a vulnerable population like chemically dependant people….I’m shocked the leadership in this country is aware of this epidemic…yet does not support people who are called to serve this population.

  13. Unknown
    April 23, 2019

    I second the motion!

  14. April 23, 2019

    This country needs help,, so much of the most important facilities needed , but yet none seem to be a priority in this place, sad

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