Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jan 2007
Source: Barbados Advocate (Barbados)
Copyright: Barbados Advocate 2007
Contact:  http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3499
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDENTS WARNED ABOUT DANGER OF DRUGS

The negative health effects of illicit drugs and  alcohol were
carefully taught to Class One students of  the Wesley Hall Junior
School by Police Officers from  the Orleans Community Post yesterday.

The students were told about the long-term damaging  effects on the
brain, and almost every other part of  the body, as a result of
excessive use of drugs and  alcohol.

Police Constable Jamaal Mohan cautioned them that the  effects are
usually felt immediately and briefly,  noting though, that the nature
and intensity of the  effects may vary according to the size, weight
and  health of a person, and according to the amount of  drugs used.

The most common drugs, he said, that are on the  Barbados market are
alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.  While Estacy is also available, it
is not as common,  because of its high price " between $75 to $150 for
a  tablet.

As the children were very responsive and happy to be  educated, Mohan
said, "They are now more informed,  because they were not aware of the
serious dangers of  the drug. People tell children that smoking
cigarettes  causes cancer, but smoking one marijuana cigarette is
equivalent to ten tobacco cigarettes, and is much more  harmful."

Acknowledging that some radio advertisements encouraged  the use of
alcohol, which is a depressant drug, Mohan  said, "Do not use it, its
effect is to slow down the  central nervous system, including the
brain and  drinking too much decreases our ability to absorb
important nutrients from food."

However, Sergeant Francis Sisnett also cautioned the  students about
using offensive weapons, adding, that  even a sharp-edged pencil can
be regarded as an  offensive weapon, along with razors, penknives, and
toy  guns, which should not be in their possession or taken  to school.

He made it clear that persons could be charged for  using toy guns,
"because most criminals conduct  robberies with toy guns". He also
made it known that  the students could be incarcerated at the
Government  Industrial School, and serve a three or five-year term,
if they are caught with sharp edged tools.

The Class teacher, Egla Parris, however believed that  it is very
important for the students to be exposed to  the programme by the
Officers. She added, "Some  children are exposed to drugs because they
come from  homes where they see drugs.

It is important that the Officers talk to them about  the dangers and
for them not to get involved in drugs.  It was also good that they
pointed out the effects and  what goes on at Harrison Point."

Meanwhile, acting Principal, Maureen Reid applauded the  weekly
programme for the students, saying that it would  help them to stay
away from the use of dangerous drugs  and offensive weapons. "It will
do them good, and it  will do Barbados good," she added.
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