IT IS YOUR LIFE, YOUR COMMUNITY AND THERE IS NO PLACE FOR DRUGS:

"This is a New Year, a new start and new time to improve the state of
our health, minds and bodies. Use of drugs disrupts all of these. In
fact, drugs destroy lives and communities, undermine sustainable
human development and generate crime and affect all sectors of
society in our country, affect the freedom of development of young
people - the world's most valuable asset."

This statement was made by Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, Manager of the
National Council on Substance Abuse at the launch of Drug Awareness
Month on January 9th at the NCSA headquarters. Chaderton-Shaw noted
that the effect of drugs was also devastating on a small developing
economy, as is the case in Barbados. She then appealed to Barbadians
to reflect on the theme of Drug Awareness Month for 2008, "My Life,
My Community, There is no Place for Drugs".

Chaderton-Shaw stated that it was important that all sectors in
Barbados join the NCSA in the fight against drug abuse, since it
affected all sectors and the sustainability of our country. She said,
"The NCSA wishes to mobilise all sectors of our society " schools,
tertiary institutions, the workplace, civil society, sporting
fraternities, social services, service clubs, NGOs, community based
organisations, places of entertainment, bars, rum shops and the hotel
sector." She urged these sectors to strengthen partnerships with the
NCSA and apart from being involved in the work of the NCSA, also play
their part in the resolution of this social problem. She stated, "It
is necessary to collectively have a responsibility to arrest the drug
problem and develop strategies to find root causes and change
negative behaviour to positive behaviour." She also made it clear
that parents must assume their responsibility to inform their
children about drugs and the effects ! of drugs, since they play a
major role in moulding their children's behaviour. She told parents
they must "exercise influence, establish boundaries and teach them
to refrain from instant gratification". Noting recent statistics from
CASA (Centre for Counselling and Addiction Support Alternatives),
Chaderton-Shaw explained that the 13-21 age group is the one of most
concern since drug use is increasing among this age group, as well as
the fact that this is a "pivotal and critical point in youth's
lives". Marijuana use presented the highest incidence in this age
group as well, followed by alcohol. In light of this information,
Chaderton-Shaw urged parents to seek help from drug service providers
when they identify that their children are using drugs.

One concern for the NCSA is that some schools seem reluctant to come
forward and report any incidents of drug use among students. She
warned that ignoring this fact could only exacerbate the problem.
"Some schools seem reluctant to come forward. I encourage school
administration to wrestle the problem before it gets out of hand,"
said Chaderton-Shaw. Chaderton-Shaw noted that the theme "My Life, My
Community, No Place for Drugs" will be filtered into other programmes
throughout the year, for example, "My Life, My Education, No Place
for Drugs" and "My Life, My Career, No Place for Drugs".