Community drug control effort launched

The Stann Creek District Drug Demand Reduction Task Force was inaugurated today by the Minister of National Security, Jorge Espat. The task force is working in partnership with the National Drug Abuse Council NDACC as part of their community empowerment program. News Five spoke to the director of NDACC about the new venture.

Francis Baizar, Director, N.D.A.C.C.

“The National Drug Abuse Control Council in its effort to reduce the demand for drugs… It’s not just a small amount that works with us; we have the national headquarters here in Belize City and we have a district office in each district. In each district we only have one person that is working. So we thought that really to make a difference community people, house wives, teachers, mechanics, firemen, public officers the business sector everybody.”

Q: “What will be some of the activities the task force will be taking on in order to educate people out there who probably do not know much about the misuse of drugs?”

Francis Baizar

“Some people have prevention programs; they are assisting in informing children about the dangers or drug abuse. They did programs over the Christmas holiday. They assisted with the drunk driving campaign. They do also other campaigns like public forums and also they do public demonstrations for example like marches and stuff like that. These activities come from the community members themselves because they are familiar with what is happening in their community.”

Baizar says that some members of the newly formed task force were chosen because of their interest while others were asked to join the force because of their contribution to National Drug Abuse Control Council. It is expected that by early February, Minister of National Security will commissioned district demand reduction task forces in the Cayo, Toledo and Corozal districts.