Drunk driving concerns youth leaders

Natasha Jervier
Natasha Jervier

Two youth leaders in Dominica have called for the issue of drunk driving among young people in Dominica to be addressed urgently.

Their call has come in the light of the tragic death of three young people, including twins, in motor vehicle accidents in Trinidad over the weekend. They were all returning from parties when the accidents occurred.

“Drinking and driving has become an increasing problem among the youth in Dominica and that is a very dangerous problem … this results in an increase in vehicular accidents and deaths around the island,” CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Natasha Jervier, said

She said although the police and government are trying to curb the situation with a campaign on road safety, more can be done by creating awareness and helping the public understand the dangers of drunk driving.

Delroy Williams
Delroy Williams

Youth Advocate Delroy Williams, is of the opinion that the authorities can do more to curb  drunk driving among the youth. He blames early exposure to alcohol and its availability, as the reasons for the problem.

“We see alcohol being accessed very easily in shops, we also see young people drinking alcohol at various events in Dominica, every event in Dominica is somewhat associated with alcohol drinking and alcohol abuse,” he said.

He said the police need to be equipped with breathalyzers and is suggesting that the authorities review the current laws on alcohol on the island. He also said access to alcohol by young people must be given a second look.

He urged the authorities to enforce the laws which prohibit the sale of alcohol to minors.

Both Jervier and Williams called on young people to become more responsible while drinking alcohol.

“I am not telling the young people to not drink alcohol or not go out and have fun,” Jervier said. “But it is time that they become more responsible. Avoid excessive drinking and always have a designated driver.  Ensure that your friends or the person that you are with does not drive while they are under the influence.”

Recently, the Drug Abuse Prevention Unit made an appeal to lawmakers to increase the age of alcohol purchase from 18 to 21.

A recent survey shows that alcohol is the most used substance by secondary school students in Dominica.

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36 Comments

  1. Friend
    June 13, 2013

    First of all I am happy to see that our youth ambassadors are speaking out on issues especially when it concerns youth. Our religious leaders can take a page from their book. These youth leaders make their voices heard and it shows that they are in touch with what is happening where the youth are concerned. Good job Delroy(Bath Estate neighbor)and Natasha(youth retreat colleague)Keep it up and remember you guys are role models for other youth. May I suggest that you guys start a youth partnership program of some sort with the police to help curb this problem. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious problem.

    On the issue of minors having access to alcohol, I strongly believe the homes have alot to do with it. Adults send children to buy alcoholic drinks for them and telling them do not drink it. Double standard right there. Children learn more of what they see than what they hear. Even if it is in the home and hidden from them (or so you think) they are still getting the message that it is okay to do. I think the laws on alcohol are there but they need to be strictly enforced!!!

  2. Malatete
    June 13, 2013

    The WHO (World Health Organisation) report of 2011 on alcohol consumption in Dominica makes sobering reading. Of all consumption (measured in pure alcohol intake), spirits account for 83% against beer at 6%.The drinking of wine has become more popular in recent times and comes in with a surprising 10%.
    The legal age for off-licence sales and public consumption of alcohol in Dominica is 18 but I’m not aware that this ever enforced. What is more worrying, there are no legally binding regulations on alcohol advertising or sponsorship and we see a proliferation of both in Dominica, especially targetted towards the younger consumer.

  3. dominican
    June 13, 2013

    you see the laws people need to fight for is not what they fighting for. where are the laws for a standard to be set for the accepted alcohol level in the system and the breath testing apparatus for the police to execute the laws.when drivers licence are revoked right on the scene our drivers will start using a designated driver.

  4. Dominica_Lover
    June 12, 2013

    They are saying because other islands have a problem, we should take a stance. Dominica does have a drinking problem as the law is loose around that. The law is what creates the thrill. When you create a restriction, you bring about something to do that is fun to young adults. Ask any country who has strict laws on under age drinking.

    • Ayeo
      June 12, 2013

      the law has been there from time. When i was a kid I used to go and buy rum for my grandfather but I KNEW that there was no way I could touch that. My aunt would give us table wine to drink once in a blue and I hated it. So its not so much the law. Its the rules set in the household. alcohol was around me but there was no thrill for me personally because no one in my family made a big deal about it being banned ..it just want that imp to me. Now kids want to be cool and they are taking all their social cues from friends who are kids themselves. Parents need to pass on good values to their children and talk to them about alcohol use. The law is not there to raise your child

  5. Anonymous
    June 12, 2013

    You see how they tou cho tou flam? If is not that you wouldn’t hear nothing. Mag way sa!

  6. Anonymous
    June 12, 2013

    Drunk Driving is minor compared to the now Driving and Talking on Cell Phones which has become the norm around Dominica. Worse are the bus drivers who have passengers…just check for the unnecessary long lines under the Canefield Bypass and try to overtake you”ll confirm this. They slow down in the middle of the road, swerving from side to side preventing you from moving along and even speeds up when you attempt to pass them. Persons should be ticketed on the spot for this.

  7. kylie
    June 12, 2013

    Great suggestions by Williams and Jervier. Authorities and youths alike i hope you all are listening ( or reading). Life is precious and should be protected at all costs. We can still have a good time without excessive alcohol

  8. June 12, 2013

    Alcohol is not as dangerous as it is believed to be. People–both young and old–needs to know when to start and when to stop the intake of alcoholic drinks. Or to simply leave it alone.

    Alcohol is partly used as a medicine; most of the cough syrups which we buy from the drugs stores contains a portion of alcohol.

    I once read about a man who was over 100 years and still going strong–he said that part of his reason for long life is because of a glass of red wine before bedtime each night.

    Rubbing alcohol, Bayrum, and Limacol, is the fastest way I am able to release those tight muscles and the tension of my neck and shoulders–including a bad headache or stomach distress.

    What we might not have realized or learned, is that our bodies needs all those various chemicals–so to stay healthy; and it is designed to produce all what it needs from the food which we eat. And certain foods like grapes, beets, sugarcane, and many others, has an end product of alcohol in our bodies.

    Perhaps those of us who do not have that balance diet, are we whom our bodies call for the intake of processed alcohol–it could be the addition to those processed alcoholic drinks which causes the addiction in us.

    Nonetheless, as human beings we are also conformed to the flesh, by the call of our human senses, but all we are doing through this state of “conformation” as we answer to the call of our fleshly demands is: We are killing our body and we are destroying the Life of our soul, because our mind continue in its carnal condition–not able to respond to God from conscience.

    The problem is that we need that inner peace by which our minds remain in balance, for the call of body and soul, but instead we experience a void–the kind of emptiness–which demand fulfillment.

    But only peace can fill up the emptiness within us, but we do not have it because peace is from God, and we have rejected Him for all sorts of foolish reasons.

    And so, today we are exposed to all sorts of dangerous aspects–of vanitty and futility–the younger our minds, the easier we will turn to drugs, alcohol, and sex, as we claim to be having fun and good times–but we are only fooling ourselves!

    Young people of Dominica, there is Life for you in this world. But this Life is from God, through your relationship with His Person of Love–the name is Jesus Christ.

    Stop exchanging that beautiful Life for drugs, alcohol, sex, and dirty money–the end is fatality, and I promise you! You do not want that kind of end. Find peace for your mind–it is from the Living God, who loves you unconditionally.

    Jesus invites you in His saying: “Come to Me all of you who labor and are carrying heavy loads, I will give you rest” He will not deny you, the peace and joy of mind that you do need, if you are sincere through your call to Him and your entry into His rest. Blessings!

  9. Really?
    June 11, 2013

    The question should be ‘why are our young ones turning to alcohol?’. I would think many reasons actually but two on top of my list would be the break down of the family institution and unemployment. Idle hands and minds will turn to temptation. It breaks my heart watching many younng people walking the streets with no work and no vision for the future. A great injustice to them and Dominica’s future. Please Mr Skerrit make providing work for our young ones a priority!

  10. Abitrator
    June 11, 2013

    You should have waited for the Toxicology report to come out first

  11. Abitrator
    June 11, 2013

    I support the youth leaders view on drunk driving and its not just in youth. How ever we have no idea whether or not the accident in Trinidad was a result of the teens being under the influence of alcohol. Be careful when you post stuff like that, you might open yourselves to lawsuits from the victims family. Im just saying coming from a party doesnt mean they were drunk.

  12. doh do dat
    June 11, 2013

    DRUG & ALCOHOL PREVENTION EDUCATION in high schools is one of the ways to cut down on teen drinking.
    It’s sad that the youth advocates are only promoting law enforcement. This is many times a step too late: PREVENTION PLEASE!

  13. AAA
    June 11, 2013

    A recent survey shows that alcohol is the most used substance by secondary school students in Dominica.

    Now that it is a noted(survey)fact, what solutions are in place to rectify this damaging information, in order for our youth to survive?

  14. Mahaut Boi
    June 11, 2013

    except the people who would be in a position to drive would not be considered minors anyway – 18 to drink, 18 to drive. this isnt the usa where its 16 to drive and 21 to drink…

    not that laws r tightly enforced here anyway

  15. hmmmmmmmmm
    June 11, 2013

    what de hell people dying in trinidad have to do with dominica….all never publicize when DOMINICAN young people dying whatever the circumstances maybe

    • NI
      June 11, 2013

      @ hmmmmmmmmmm, u sound so heartless and IGNORANT!!!

    • Fouchette.
      June 12, 2013

      You talking fouchette!!!!!

    • Anonymous
      June 12, 2013

      your dam fool

  16. Grmmr
    June 11, 2013

    Parents are the problem; they serve alcohol to minors at home, buy it at festivals for their high school children and sent them for the rum in the shops before they knew what rum was.

  17. Anonymous
    June 11, 2013

    Are u serious… too much law in dca let people live their lives in misery enough already

  18. abraod
    June 11, 2013

    Good piece Delroy a lot more can be done. But first some parents need to be supportive of the systems that may be put in place to help protect their kids instead of being so negative all the time and always lashing out on the government, they are already there, all they need are the communities to get together to make sure that there’s a age limit for kids entering clubs etc.

    • Diva
      June 12, 2013

      What should be done is that an I.D
      Should be issued for the youth u Dominica,
      Since back home do not have any laws for businesses in Dominica Dominica where alcohol is sold.
      Parents send the children to buy them alcohol and it is been sold yo them.
      Some parents sometimes drink together with their children before they turn drinking age, alcohol is been served st parties among other drinks.
      So I do believe that what this young man is saying is quite right.
      We must remember that the youth arevyhe future if tomorrow.

      • Diva
        June 12, 2013

        Please excuse NY typing errors.

  19. June 11, 2013

    you could’nt have
    said it better

  20. Muslim_Always
    June 11, 2013

    Alcohol is a disease, it should be placed on the same level as cocaine, crack etc. It should be eradicated from any civil society.

    Allah dealt with the drug problem 1400 years ago. He says in the Holy Qur’an 5:90 – يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

    “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.”

    • Grmmr
      June 11, 2013

      The Bible says wine is good in the book of Ecclesiastes. However, it cautions against becoming intoxicated. Alcohol in moderation will not kill you, but alcohol in excess will.

      • Muslim_Always
        June 11, 2013

        This is the thing I dislike about Christian theology, they use the “Old Testament” when it is convenient for them but when it goes against their desires they say, “Oh that’s the Old Testament, we live by grace now!” What a two face people.

      • June 12, 2013

        This is the thing I dislike about Christian theology. Muslim_Always June 11, 2013

        Muslims Always you need to be more careful when speak against “Christianity” most of the time you are simply talking about the habits, attitude, and conducts–which are the lifestyle of certain people–quite often that pattern of existence has nothing to do with Christianity, even if those persons claim to be Christians since 100 years ago

        Christianity is a relationship with God, by faith in His Person of Love–Jesus Christ. When people bring theology into it, then you religious rules and regulations–that is why there is a massive confusion about God, Love, and Life out there.

        For example there is nothing in the Bible that says directly: “Wine is good to drink” and most definitely not in the “Book of Ecclesiastes”.

        That person who said so has simply spoken the idea of his or her human understanding, or that of someone else; that is how the false teachings go from one mind to the other–still for all that idea has nothing to do with Christian theology.

    • June 11, 2013

      @Muslim_Always June 11, 2013

      I don’t think you want to say alcohol is a “disease” I think you want to say that it is an “addiction”

      And so, a person who is addicted to alcohol is an “alcoholic” those are they who abuse the use of alcoholic drinks, just like the drug addicts abuses the drug they are taking–for what ever the reason.

      It always starts with one drink that was too many at first, but it ends up with a thousand drinks not being enough; it is the same with even the first two pain relief pills, which ends up with all sorts of dangerous drugs.

      Human beings, young and old, simply need a state of mind that can fight away the seeds of the human senses which are sown on it ground to produce the bad fruits which kill and destroy the body.

  21. Dominican abroad3
    June 11, 2013

    Alcohol is a drug also, so it should be on the same list as other drugs and should not be sold to under 18’s/21′ this should be a legal and binding part of our Islands law and legislation,shop owners should be made aware of this, and should obtain ID form any young persons entering their establishments to purchase alcohol, and if caught they should be fined quite considerable. The same goes for those selling alcohol to young people irresponsible to make money at party and clubs.

    They should engage a alcohol Councillor to go to schools and inform the students of the effects of alcohol on their body. Apart form the dangers of killing themselves and others, they can and will end up with severe liver, and brain damage, (Mental illness).

  22. wannaknow
    June 11, 2013

    yea cuz day by day who you hearing is a victims of accident and death?minors….

    • KING WILLY
      June 11, 2013

      dO YOU PEOPLE BUY CUZ?

  23. faceup
    June 11, 2013

    Well bro good luck, but you must first talk to the police cause a lot of officers from the Dominica police force do drink and drive with there uniform on too, so tell me?, where does our youth get a good example?.

  24. I say so
    June 11, 2013

    In all shopping centers,Market or kiosks- a seller should have the rights to ask for permission to view a ID when selling to anyone he or she thinks is a minor when buying alcohol..And to refuse selling to them!!!!
    Any one found not obeying to this laws should be subjected to a heavy charge and have their shops closed down!!!!..Period!!!!!

  25. Joan E
    June 11, 2013

    Well done keep up the good work hope they listen as well as the Adults

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