Students compete on drug knowledge
Recently on this newscast we’ve seen two spelling bees, one of which was in sign language. Tonight’s student competition involves knowledge of drugs and their influence on society.
Marlon McNab, School Prog. Co-ordinator, NDACC
“The National Drug Awareness Week really is to create a national awareness as it specifies. About not only what the situation of drug use is in Belize currently, but also the general situation as it relates to the prevalence of drug use. As it relates to what is it costing our economy presently? What is it costing the health sector of our community? How can the community become a part of this fight against drugs?”
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
The use and misuse of drugs took centre stage this morning at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall as sixteen students from all over the country competed in the sixth annual Drug Education Quiz. This was not your usual quiz where students get all the answers in advance
Marlon McNab
“The life skills scenario portion is not rehearsed. They have never seen it. I have never seen it before it actually begins.”
And after two rounds of life skills scenarios and two rounds of drug information, Lynelle Martinez of Grace Primary School stood tall.
Lynelle Martinez, 1st Place, Grace Primary School
“I feel very good. I was expecting at least second, and I got first. So that’s good for me. I’m proud to represent Belize District in the finals and I’m really enthuse about it.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“How hard did you study?”
Lynelle Martinez
“Actually not very hard. I was kind of slack on my studying, but I will study harder for the nationals.”
Here’s an example of Martinez’s life skills question.
Emcee
“You are playing football and getting very hot. A stranger offers you a cold drink from his insulated glass. What would you do and why?”
Lynelle Martinez
“I would definitely not take it. First of all he’s a stranger, and the drink might be a date rape drug. It could contain stuff that could harm me, and I’m sure there will be other ways I could get a drink. If I’m playing, I would already be prepared with something to drink, so I would not need that.”
Shanice Lovell of St. Martin de Porres placed second.
Shanice Lovell, 2nd Place, St. Martin de Porres
“I feel good because I tried my best. Although it was not perfect, I tried. I didn’t really study the life skills, but the questions, I already had some of then remembered from the first zone quiz, so I didn’t have to study it that hard.”
Aimel Flores of Holy Redeemer came third. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
All competing students won a set of reading classics and a geometry set, in addition to a scientific calculator won by the first and second place finishers. The national finals take place on June eighth at Holy Redeemer Parish Hall.
