Having a life without drugs is the focus of the National Council on Substance Abuse???s (NCSA) activities to mark Drug Awareness Month, which began on January 1, and will run until Saturday, January 31.
Under the theme: A Life Without Drugs: Reflection???Recovery???Renewal, the NCSA is expected to host a number of events and workshops targeted at key stakeholders in the fight against drugs, including principals, guidance counsellors, human resource professionals and members of the clergy.
The first of these comes off on Thursday, January 8, when principals and guidance counsellors will explore the topic: Youth and Addiction, during a workshop at Verdun House, in Pool Land, St. John, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
This will be followed by a church service to celebrate the month on Sunday, January 11, at the Bank Hall Church of the Nazarene, Bank Hall, St. Michael, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Minister of Home Affairs, Adriel Brathwaite, and Acting Chairman of the NCSA, Dale Callender, are expected to give remarks.
The second workshop will take place on Tuesday, January 13, at Verdun House in Pool Land, St. John, from 9:30 a.m., when human resource practitioners will examine the issue of addiction.
Then on Friday, January 16, Mr. Brathwaite will address the official opening ceremony for the new NCSA headquarters in the Armaira Building, corner of 1st Avenue and Pine Road, Belleville, St. Michael, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
During that event, the Minister will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding for PROCCER (Spanish acronym for Training and Certification Programme on Drug and Violence Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation), and present certificates to PROCCER facilitators.
The final workshop will take place on Thursday, January 22, at Codrington College, Codrington, St. John, beginning at 9:30 a.m. That workshop is targeted at members of the clergy, and will demonstrate the effects of addiction on a person, their family and society.
On Friday, January 30, the NCSA staff will team up for a cricket match with members of the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Barbados Defence Force, the Barbados Fire Service, and Customs and Excise Department, during a Staff Day at the King George V. Memorial Park, Ruby, St. Philip, beginning at 10:00 a.m.??
julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb