Anti-drug group targets students
During Christmas, the drug of choice for most Belizeans is alcohol, but for the rest of the year the abuse of and trade in other narcotics remains one of the nation’s major social problems. Today the organisation spearheading anti-drug education in Belize finished a week of activities targeting students.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Three years ago, a survey conducted by the National Drug Abuse Control Council revealed that the age young people usually start to experiment with drugs is not sixteen years old as previously thought, but much younger; in some cases as early as ten. The results prompted NDACC to become more aggressive in their drug prevention education in schools.
Helen Bodden, Belize District Co-ordinator, NDACC
“So we are doing a lot of campaigns throughout the year, not just during specific times. We’re going to primary schools and secondary schools, so these activities actually have a focus. The focus is on drug prevention education, educating our students on all the types of drugs and their effects, and on getting them to develop healthy, alternative lifestyles to drugs.”
This week Gwen Lizarraga High School became the sixth secondary institution to be involved in one of NDACC’s innovative programmes, The Red Ribbon Week. For the past five days the students listened to lectures, took part in class competitions and skits. One play that captured the audience was about a young woman who failed her exam and believed that by taking drugs she would improve her grades.
(Students performing Skit)
Girl
“What I suppose to do with this?””
Boy
“Drink it.”
(Girl takes a drink and chokes)
Girl
“This thing di choke up me.”
Boy
“That means it di work.”
Girl
“So if I continue drink more of this I wah pass?”
Boy
“Weh yu think I di do for the past three years now.”
But the student’s performance didn’t improve. Instead she remained high on drugs and destroyed her chances of getting a good education.
Adam Gomez, Student, Gwen Lizarraga High School
“I think young people are getting involved with drugs because…influence, they see other people doing it; peer pressure, all that happens; and just to look big around other students or other big people.”
NDACC says they do not know if Red Ribbon Week has had an effect on the students who participated in the programme, but there are plans to hold a survey next year to see if it has been a success. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.
NDACC plans to hold similar activities in primary schools.
