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Drug abuse among factors known to yield deadly blow to society – OAS Representative
OAS Country Rep., Mr. Jean Ricot Dormeus
The combined impact of drug use and abuse, trafficking and crime on any society is known to have devastating effects. This observation was recently made by Country Representative of the Organisation of American States [OAS], Mr. Jean Ricot Dormeus.
According to Dormeus, based on a study that was recently highlighted, the deaths, injuries, and the disruption of lives in Latin America and the Caribbean has been known to surpass those in war zones.
“These alarming trends call on us to do more and better to preserve our society from the drugs scourge,” said Dormeus, as he delivered remarks at an ongoing mental health workshop for specially targeted personnel who, once certified, will be poised to help address the drug abuse challenge here in Guyana.
But training is only one dimension to engaging proactive measures, since, according to Dormeus, it has long been recognised that drug control policies and strategies require a holistic approach. He observed that while law enforcement and regression [in terms of drug abuse] have proven to be necessary in the fight against drug abuse, these are not sufficient enough. “Supply reduction matters but demand reduction matters equally,” said Dormeus, as he stressed the importance of prevention and treatment approaches too.
“At the same time we [have to] keep studying and exploring options conducive to an effective control of the drug influence,” he added.
Currently, a number of officials from a number of entities across the country are undergoing training to function as drug treatment specialists and service providers equipped to develop and implement drug abuse treatment programmes.
The officials are from the Ministry of Public Health’s Mental Health Unit, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Phoenix Recovery Project, Salvation Army, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prisons Service and officials from Regions One, Five, Six, Seven and 10.
Dormeus, in addressing the participants, underscored that the skills they are expected to acquire will allow them to make a vital contribution to the improvement of the country.
“With the treatment tool kit, you will touch the lives of people in desperate need of assistance as they struggle with addiction. The release of one person from the clutches of drug dependency will result in better safety and security conditions in Guyana. You can never know how far your positive influence may reach,” Dormeus told the participants.
As such, he urged those currently participating in the 19-day long training programme to, “understand and absorb the information the facilitators will share with you, and in so doing you will get your certification for sure and you will become the champions of hope to the drug dependency victims and advance the cause of socio-economic development in Guyana.”
The OAS through the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission [CICAD], Dormeus said, commits to stand by Guyana and the Region in the quest for a better life for all.
According to the World Health Organisation [WHO], substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.
Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome – a cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use. These typically include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state.
The WHO has also stated that policies which influence the levels and patterns of substance use and related harm can significantly reduce the public health problems attributable to substance use, and interventions at the health care system level can work towards the restoration of health in affected individuals.
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