The National Drugs Abuse Prevention Unit has partnered with the Drug Squad, Health Promotion Unit, and HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit to bring greater awareness to college students as the Carnival season draws near.
An exhibition by the different organizations was held on Thursday at the grounds of the Dominica State College aimed at disseminating important information to the students in order to assist them to make informed decisions.
Martha Jarvis, research and information officer for the Drug Prevention Unit, said it was an opportune time to host such an activity. “It’s an opportunity to reach out to them and educate them because most times during the year we usually target secondary and primary schools students,” she said. “After doing several surveys on drug use we have realized that there is a high prevalence of alcohol abuse among college students as compared to the high school students.”
She noted that young people must be more alert during the Carnival season.
“Knowing that Carnival is around the corner and a lot of people like to drink, it is a good time to provide vital information so that they will watch what they drink, the drugs they use and also HIV. It’s also a concern that some people when they are drunk they do not know to put on a condom … so if we partner and work side by side, they may make the right decisions,” she stressed.
Meantime the Drug Squad is expressing concern and warning people who consume ‘bush rum’.
“In recent times we are seeing shop keepers our alcohol retail shops placing cannabis in alcohol to be sold to the public. We have taken a few of these and prosecuted persons in that regard,” a member of the unit said.
Health screening, drugs, fire arms and ammunition, information on alcohol causes, tips for teens, causes of sexually transmitted diseases, among others all formed part of the exhibition.
Great job by all, we really need to desentizse members of the public and by all means our youths. Full credit must be given to the organisers. An informed public is a layer of prevention,and awareness which will go along way to averting those concern becoming victims/ or perpatrators of unlawful acts. My appeal to all those who were fortunate to have been part of this exercise is to share it with others play your part to mitigate the likely problems some of us often do, once we get engaged in drinking, remember do not drink your brains during the carnival season and beyond, assist our Law men and women they are charged to serve and protect us therefore lets all jion hands for the sole purpose of making Dominica crime free, or cut the habit of abuse of any kind,for if we`re not part of the solution we are part of the problem. Have a safe carnival season to all.