CAYMAN JOINS WORLD CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS

Cayman joins the international community this Saturday, 26 June, in
observing International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking to raise awareness of the major problems that illicit
drugs represent to society, particularly to young people.

With the theme, "Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your
community. No place for drugs," campaign organizers are mobilizing
support for worldwide drug control.

"Drugs have a devastating impact on individuals, families,
communities and society as a whole," said Youth Minister Mark
Scotland, who supports the initiative. "As such, our Government will
continue to support the National Drug Council's efforts against
illicit drug use."

He also encouraged parents to talk to their children about the
negative impacts of drug abuse, and urged students to take control
of their lives by specifically adopting the last part of the
campaign slogan, "No place for drugs."

"Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to using
illicit drugs," he added. "Many times they are subjected to strong
peer pressure to experiment with illicit drugs. Moreover, young
people tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the
health risks involved in using drugs."

He said that drug and alcohol abuse, though a grave problem, can be
prevented, treated and controlled. "While efforts to reduce supply
are ongoing, we must also support those agencies working to reduce
the demand," he said, "and I give my full support to the National
Drug Council so that they can continue their good work."

Global research shows that the prevalence of drug use among young
people is more than twice as high as that among the general
population. In addition, the Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey,
a study in effect since 1998, supports the need to raise awareness
among youth.

Established to coordinate government's efforts to reduce local drug
supply and demand, the National Drug Countil will continue to be on
the frontlines in the fight against drug abuse, said NDC Executive
Director Joan West-Dacres.

"Research continues to be a guiding force in formulating our
national policies," she said. "In addition, looking at current
trends is equally vital. We will continue to focus our energies on
protecting our teenagers and young adults."

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was
established by the United Nations in 1987. The United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime continues to lead the international campaign
aimed at raising awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs
represent to society and especially to young people.

For more information, call the National Drug Council at 949-9000, or
email: info@ndc.ky