STUDENTS WARNED ABOUT DANGER OF DRUGS

The negative health effects of illicit drugs and alcohol were
carefully taught to Class One students of the Wesley Hall Junior
School by Police Officers from the Orleans Community Post yesterday.

The students were told about the long-term damaging effects on the
brain, and almost every other part of the body, as a result of
excessive use of drugs and alcohol.

Police Constable Jamaal Mohan cautioned them that the effects are
usually felt immediately and briefly, noting though, that the nature
and intensity of the effects may vary according to the size, weight
and health of a person, and according to the amount of drugs used.

The most common drugs, he said, that are on the Barbados market are
alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. While Estacy is also available, it
is not as common, because of its high price " between $75 to $150 for
a tablet.

As the children were very responsive and happy to be educated, Mohan
said, "They are now more informed, because they were not aware of the
serious dangers of the drug. People tell children that smoking
cigarettes causes cancer, but smoking one marijuana cigarette is
equivalent to ten tobacco cigarettes, and is much more harmful."

Acknowledging that some radio advertisements encouraged the use of
alcohol, which is a depressant drug, Mohan said, "Do not use it, its
effect is to slow down the central nervous system, including the
brain and drinking too much decreases our ability to absorb
important nutrients from food."

However, Sergeant Francis Sisnett also cautioned the students about
using offensive weapons, adding, that even a sharp-edged pencil can
be regarded as an offensive weapon, along with razors, penknives, and
toy guns, which should not be in their possession or taken to school.

He made it clear that persons could be charged for using toy guns,
"because most criminals conduct robberies with toy guns". He also
made it known that the students could be incarcerated at the
Government Industrial School, and serve a three or five-year term,
if they are caught with sharp edged tools.

The Class teacher, Egla Parris, however believed that it is very
important for the students to be exposed to the programme by the
Officers. She added, "Some children are exposed to drugs because they
come from homes where they see drugs.

It is important that the Officers talk to them about the dangers and
for them not to get involved in drugs. It was also good that they
pointed out the effects and what goes on at Harrison Point."

Meanwhile, acting Principal, Maureen Reid applauded the weekly
programme for the students, saying that it would help them to stay
away from the use of dangerous drugs and offensive weapons. "It will
do them good, and it will do Barbados good," she added.