Bz. City children march to stay drug free
The message of staying drug free is one that should be re-enforced daily, especially since latest statistics reveal that children as young as age six are experimenting with addictive substances. Today, the National Drug Abuse Control Council hit the streets of Belize City once again to push the idea that we don’t need drugs to enjoy life…and hopefully the children were buying into it.
Karen Bodden, Belize District Co-ordinator, NDACC
“Belizean unite for a drug free Belize. And it is more than an theme, it is an invitation for all Belizeans to consider what their attitude is towards alcohol and the other drugs.”
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
This afternoon some ten primary schools from Belize City united for a drug free parade, one of the highlights for National Drug Awareness Week.
According to Belize District co-ordinator for NDACC Karen Bodden, the aim of the week is to reinforce the drug free message the council has been teaching the students. In spite of their efforts, a recent primary school drug survey shows much more work needs to be done.
Karen Bodden
“Basically, the findings have indicated to us that our kids are beginning to experiment with drugs from as early as the age of ten years old. It goes a little bit farther, however, because recently the council was called in to counsel a child for marijuana use, who was only six years old. And so it’s very worrisome. Also it has indicated to us that the easy availability of alcohol is a problem, as it relates to the habit that our children are beginning to practice. And so the council is very much concerned when it comes to alcohol and marijuana use among students.”
Bodden believes that alcohol and marijuana use among students can be traced back to society’s casual attitude toward the drugs.
Karen Bodden
“Because I believe that the attitude of Belize on a whole towards alcohol needs to be adjusted. It is so socially acceptable that it is very, very difficult because then children will practice more what they see than what they hear. And so we are up against that. So that’s the reason why we’re trying to educate our communities in terms of addressing attitudes.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Tomorrow, members of NDACC are scheduled to visit schools for anti-drug talks and presentations.
