The launch of a preschool manual aimed at tackling the issue of drug abuse at a tender age are among highlights of activities for Drug Awareness Month now being observed in Dominica.
In an interview with DNO Director of Drug Abuse Prevention Unit Jacinta Bannis said early intervention is key in the battle against the use of drugs.
“We believe that early intervention is critical if we want to stem out or reduce the amount of drugs that young people find themselves engaged in,” she said.
She said the manual was put together to assist teachers who may be uncomfortable in talking to their students about drugs and drug abuse. “Over been the last two years we have been working on the manual because very often teachers have not been comfortable teaching the subject,” she noted. “We have put it in such a way using songs, rhymes so they can use it not as a separate topic, but the concept be integrated into the English, social studies , science class.”
Bannis also said a drug exhibition is planned for the Dominica State College and the Marigot Community, which will also include health tests. “We really want to target the young people at the state college and we will be doing tests for blood sugar, glucose, hypertension and so on,” Bannis remarked. “It is an opportunity for those who do not go to the clinics and do that check while we have the exhibition.”
Meanwhile Bannis has identified alcoholism is the biggest concern facing the unit at this time and the advertising of alcohol is posing a huge problem. “We have seen too much advertising of alcohol on the television and I don’t see anything nutritional,” she stated. “It is alarming. In the long run it’s going to be a burden on the health sector.”
Among the activities planned are the following: Four school rallies are scheduled in the areas of Calibishie, Marigot, Laplaine and Pointe Mitchel, a candlelight vigil at Coulibistrie; Drug Exhibition and a walk against drugs.
There will also be a launch of the Drug Information Network (DIN). DIN is a drug observatory where all the information from the prison, Acute Psychiatric Unit, Hospital and the police is gathered and placed in a report.
A just-concluded prison study on the relationship between drugs and crime by the OAS in cooperation with the Inter- American Cmmission on Drug control will be presented to stakeholders.
Drug Awareness Month ends on February 2, 2013.
At Pre-school level? 3 yrs old? Primary school and middle school; I get it but not 3 yr olds in my opinion. Let them learn to write their names and learn their ABCs first.
Targeting the parents is an absolutely good idea but don’t confuse the minds of 3 yr olds. They’re not ready. Just my opinion.
we need to stop enticing the youth to drink…drinking until one is intoxicated is seen as something good…we need to change that