National unit continues battle against drugs

The National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit continues its effort in the area of Drug Demand Reduction, after a successful Drug Awareness Month in January 2012 under the theme “MY COMMUNITY, MY CHOICE: NO DRUGS”.

Currently the unit is conducting its third Drug Education and Intervention Program at the Dominica State prison for twenty inmates. The program will run from April 11- 18 July 2012.

The program seeks to:  (1) reduce the supply and demand for drugs in prison, (2) help inmates modify their behaviour to remain drug free after their release and (3) teach inmates life skills for positive decision making.

The National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit collaborated with the Organization of American States/ Inter-American Commission on Drug Control (OAS/CICAD) to conduct a study at the Dominica State Prison to determine the correlation between drugs and crime. Similar, studies are being undertaken in Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  238 inmates were interviewed and the data is being processed. The report will be published as soon as all the data has been analysed.

A new approach to getting communities to take more responsibility in reducing the drug problem is being piloted in the community of Woodford Hill.  On Thursday April 12, 2012 the staff of the National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit met with community leaders to begin the process towards conducting a Needs Assessment in the Community.

During the next four to six months data collection strategies will be employed using secondary data, surveys, key interviews, focus groups and asset mapping to develop a community profile.  The goal is to identify and develop community oriented programs that leans to the needs of the community.  A Steering committee was established to take the process forward. The next meeting is carded for May 10, 2012.

On Thursday April 19, 2012 at 7.00 pm, Community Outreach will be held in Pointe Michel. The National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit will collaborate with Voice of Life Radio and the Pointe Michel Village Council for this activity.  The event will be carried live on Voice of Life.

The National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit continues to encourage parents/guardian to be direct and talk to their children about the use, abuse and misuse of drugs.

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3 Comments

  1. A GRAND BAY MAN
    April 14, 2012

    That’s we are talking about.Possitive move.Rehab.

  2. REX
    April 14, 2012

    Pure foolishness to the best!!! Waste of tax payers money!!! Give young people work where they can provide for themselves and crime will stop!!!

  3. Dominican in NYC
    April 14, 2012

    Hope this venture will be instrumental in bringing about change within our society. The NDAPU has my full support on this one. Too many of our people at placing themselves at risk (in all respects): mental, physical, emotional, financial with this drug use.Then we claim that there is nothing in Dominica to do. I do agree that things are not as promising as we expect them to be but we can still make it work. Instead of spending an entire day searching for a smoke, why not spend it looking for a day’s work? Instead of spending $5 everyday on a bag of weed when not collect that and at the end of the week that $35 can pay the bus fare to and from work? People drug use doesn’t add anything to our lives: you get high for 2 hours and what next? What progress do you make? How productive can you be? What positive influence does it have on your life? I make an appeal to all drug users to reconsider your options. God bless you and our country.

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