Some substance abusers avoid assistance due to societal stigma - DRU Head

Some substance abusers avoid assistance due to societal stigma – DRU Head

Jun 26, 2008 News

The response to the ongoing Ministry of Health orchestrated substance abusers’ counselling sessions at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has so far been favourable, although it is hoped that more persons would access the service.
This is according to the Head of the Ministry’s Drug Reduction Unit (DRU), Sheranne Isaacs, who informed Kaieteur News yesterday that individuals may be reluctant to access the service due to the stigma associated with drug use.
The Ministry, on Monday last, commenced a week of free counselling with a view of promoting awareness and effectively addressing the substance abuse problem which has been listed as a priority mental health area.
Isaacs related that while help is readily available to abusers some are more concerned of being ridiculed by members of the society and therefore remain in their depressed situation.
For this reason, she said that family members are advised to be supportive and bring out their relatives that are indulging in the abuse of substances.
However it is the intention of the Ministry, Isaacs said, that the service will be offered to the public on a continuous basis. Persons who have been abusing substances such as cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and tobacco are all encouraged to access the service.

She related that other Non-Governmental Organisations such as the Phoenix Foundation and Salvation Army had over the years made counselling services available, adding that only male substance abusers were able to benefit.
She noted though that the Phoenix Foundation has plans apace to introduce female counselling in the near future.
Isaacs also informed that counselling sessions at these organisations are provided at a cost, a factor that will not be included in the Ministry’s service which will cater to both male and female.
Currently the public counselling service provided is one of outpatient, rather than inpatient, thus persons can only access the relevant counselling and advice but leave after doing so, Isaacs asserted.
It is anticipated that an inpatient service will eventually become available at the GPHC’s Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre where the counselling sessions are ongoing.
This week of counselling, Isaacs emphasised, is designated at raising awareness of the availability of the service which will remain a feature at the GPHC.
Meanwhile, Isaacs disclosed that a Substance Abuse exhibition to further increase understanding has been planned for Saturday at the City Mall.
In addition she noted that a ‘Drug Free is the way to be’ walk has been scheduled for Sunday which will commence at 17:30 hours outside the Bank of Guyana building and conclude at the Sheriff Street seawall.
She divulged that the latter location was strategically chosen since it is believed that considerable amounts of substance abuse activities are carried out there.
As such, Isaacs indicated that efforts will be made to share information in the form of booklets and pamphlets in order to enlighten persons of the various ways that the abuse of substances can harm not only them but their loved ones.