Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jun 2010
Source: Cayman Net News (Cayman Islands)
Copyright: 2010 Cayman Net Ltd
Contact:  http://www.caymannetnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3700
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

CAYMAN JOINS WORLD CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS

Cayman joins the international community this Saturday,  26 June, in 
observing International Day against Drug  Abuse and Illicit 
Trafficking to raise awareness of the  major problems that illicit 
drugs represent to society,  particularly to young people.

With the theme, "Do drugs control your life? Your life.  Your 
community. No place for drugs," campaign  organizers are mobilizing 
support for worldwide drug  control.

"Drugs have a devastating impact on individuals,  families, 
communities and society as a whole," said  Youth Minister Mark 
Scotland, who supports the  initiative. "As such, our Government will 
continue to  support the National Drug Council's efforts against 
illicit drug use."

He also encouraged parents to talk to their children  about the 
negative impacts of drug abuse, and urged  students to take control 
of their lives by specifically  adopting the last part of the 
campaign slogan, "No  place for drugs."

"Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable  to using 
illicit drugs," he added. "Many times they are  subjected to strong 
peer pressure to experiment with  illicit drugs. Moreover, young 
people tend to be either  misinformed or insufficiently aware of the 
health risks  involved in using drugs."

He said that drug and alcohol abuse, though a grave  problem, can be 
prevented, treated and controlled.  "While efforts to reduce supply 
are ongoing, we must  also support those agencies working to reduce 
the  demand," he said, "and I give my full support to the  National 
Drug Council so that they can continue their  good work."

Global research shows that the prevalence of drug use  among young 
people is more than twice as high as that  among the general 
population. In addition, the Cayman  Islands Student Drug Use Survey, 
a study in effect  since 1998, supports the need to raise awareness 
among  youth.

Established to coordinate government's efforts to  reduce local drug 
supply and demand, the National Drug  Countil will continue to be on 
the frontlines in the  fight against drug abuse, said NDC Executive 
Director  Joan West-Dacres.

"Research continues to be a guiding force in  formulating our 
national policies," she said. "In  addition, looking at current 
trends is equally vital.  We will continue to focus our energies on 
protecting our teenagers and young adults."

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit  Trafficking was 
established by the United Nations in  1987. The United Nations Office 
on Drugs and Crime  continues to lead the international campaign 
aimed at  raising awareness of the major problem that illicit  drugs 
represent to society and especially to young  people.

For more information, call the National Drug Council at  949-9000, or 
email:  ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom