Health Ministry spearheads three-pronged anti-drug campaign

May 15, 2008 News

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The Ministry of Health, as part of the Drug Demand Reduction Programme, yesterday launched its Workplace Anti-drug Sensitisation Programme as well as a Television Programme “Changing Course” and a Radio Programme “Tales from the Crack”.

The event, which is being done through a collaborative effort with Phoenix Recovery Project, took place at the Zoom Inn Hotel, Croal Street.

The workplace programme will focus on three areas of drug use and abuse — legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco), illegal drugs (cocaine, marijuana and heroine) and prescription drugs.

The Anti-drug Workplace Sensitisation Programme is aimed at educating employees of the public and private sectors on the dangers of drug use.

Each workplace sensitisation activity will be conducted by a cast of technical personnel and would involve interactive activities on types of addiction, causation factors and the signs and symptoms of drug use. There will also be a focus on the consequences of drug use and abuse, the effects of tobacco on the body, and the need for totally smoke free environments.

There were addresses by several persons including Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who told the gathering that he would focus his sentiments on alcohol.

According to Dr. Ramsammy, every two minutes somebody in the Americas will die because of alcohol. That cannot be a trivial problem, said the Minister.

“Today I want to make an emphatic statement — We drink too much; we drink far too much.”
In the world, he added, the average per capita consumption for alcohol is 4.7 litres and in the Americas it is over eight litres.

In Guyana our per capita consumption is just over six litres, he stated.

“There is no part of the world where there are more alcohol-related deaths than the Americas. More than 350,000 will die this year because of alcohol-related occurrences — accidents, violence and diseases for which alcohol is a risk factor.”

He also pointed out that alcohol is the leading cause of road accidents and one of the leading causes of domestic violence.
Dr. Ramsammy said that in Guyana alcohol consumption and the control of alcohol consumption has to be a public health priority.

The Minister congratulated the Salvation Army, Phoenix Recovery Project and other agencies for their work at rehabilitation.
He noted that the Ministry of Health is starting its own support programme, and next month the Ministry will be conducting training programmes for a mentoring group that will deal with substance dependency.
According to Dr. Ramsammy, the laws of Guyana need to be enforced and made more rigid.
“Too many people drink and drive and we have to stop that. The law allows for 0.35 percent of alcohol in blood. I say 0.35 per cent blood alcohol level is too high and we must change the law.”
“If people drink they must not drive. Let’s start a campaign in Guyana; the designated driver campaign must be on now.” Minister Ramsammy also opined that the taxes on alcohol are too low. “We should have more taxation on alcohol and tobacco…if more taxes will cause people to drink less, that’s fine.”
Ms. Sheranne Isaacs, Focal Point, Drug Demand Reduction Programme, Ministry of Health, also addressed the audience.
She said that 2003 Behavioral Surveillance Survey provided evidence that substance abuse has penetrated all strata of the Guyanese society.
She added that the Ministry of Health Drug Demand Reduction Programme has heightened efforts in the fight against substance abuse in Guyana. The Ministry of Health is seeking to address the issue of substance use and dependency by targeting various groups through national awareness, education, behaviour change communication programmes and other Public Education programmes via media.
“Today signifies the launch of the Workplace Anti-drug Sensitisation Programme, The Anti-drug Television Programme – “Changing Course” and the Anti-drug Radio Programme- “Tales from the Crack”.”
According to Isaacs, the Anti-drug Workplace Sensitisation Programme is aimed at improving employees’ health and wellness as well as improving worker safety, which will add value to organizations.
These television and radio programmes will be hosted by Ms. Andrea Bryan and Mr. Malcolm Ferriera.
The television programme, “Changing Course”, is scheduled to commence May 22, 2008, on the National Communications Network (NCN) from 8:05pm to 9:05 pm. This programme will be aired fortnightly.
Additionally, the radio programme is scheduled to begin on May 28, and will be aired weekly on the Voice of Guyana.
Yesterday’s programme also included a song and dramatic presentation by Phoenix Recovery Project’s edutainment team.

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