ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Two of the leading activists in the fight against drug and substance abuse prevention have expressed disgust with the attitude and behaviour of the young people who were in attendance at the Lots of Liquor (LOL) fete on Saturday night.
Substance Abuse Prevention Officer in the Drug Abuse Prevention Unit Norma Jeffery Dorsette and Head of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Sergeant Timothy Drew, both said they were shocked and disturbed when they saw photographs and were told about the actions of the young individuals attending the pre-carnival event.
Dorsette, speaking on yesterday’s Big Issues programme, said that situations such as these show that a lot more needs to done to reduce the intake of substances and increase awareness about the negative effects that drugs and alcohol can have on individuals.
“When I see these young people, especially young girls in these situations, then I think anything can happen to them and they don’t even have a clue.”
The Substance Abuse Prevention Unit is a government entity that has primary responsibility for drug demand reduction in Antigua & Barbuda.
Sergeant Drew, on the other hand, called for a restriction on the age limit of persons attending these fetes.
The police officer said more attention should be placed on the youths in order to mould their future, especially against alcohol use.
“For alcohol use, prevention is better than cure. Once you become addicted it is difficult, almost impossible, to get someone to stop. However, it is easier to prevent someone from using it entirely,” Drew said.
Sergeant Drew, who heads the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programme, hosts a number of classroom lessons that teach children from primary schools how to resist peer pressure and live productive, drug and violence-free lives.
Students from 11 schools across the island graduated from the programme last week.
The weekend fete, held at Splash Antigua at Millers by the Sea, saw performances from artiste such as Claudette “CP” Peters and the Taxik Band, Tanzania “Tizzy” Sebastian and El-a-Kru, Jashan and the Chezekake Factory, Ricardo Dru, the legendary Burning Flames, Dominica Triple K and Lil Rick from Barbados.
The fete allowed patrons to enter the event with their empty coolers or their coolers filled with drinks, which were mostly alcoholic beverages.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
I totally agree with “Yall are kidding”. I’m 17 years of age and I go to lots of parties and see other teens younger than myself drinking alcohol and smoking, yes I’m allowed to drink and I know my limit. Most of these fetes don’t allow you to bring in alcohol you have to purchase from the bar, so why put a restriction on the age limit for entering the show and not for the sellers. Preventing us for going to the show isn’t going to make things any better because we are still going to find some party to attend. And don’t fully blame young people for drinking alcohol parents and adults should be blamed because they sell it to us. And if you think about it like this, its summer its carnival our culture, why prevent us from enjoying it….just makes young people rebel more since u don’t want us to have fun
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
They are taking the wrong approach. Does sergeant Drew think that placing restrictions on fetes (and lets not forget taking away from the culture) will stop any one from drinking or smoking? The answer is no. If you wish to stop this, enforce the prohibition of alcohol sales to minors. Stopping the kids’ fun will in no way limit drug usage.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Well, the first logical step seems to be addressing the legal drinking age. From there proper enforcements can me made.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
long over due for some concerned moral thinking adults to step into these parties with belts and take control. These so-called promoters of these events are targetting younger and younger crowds. Taking advantage of these children that have mature bodies but immature brains.
Its long overdue that parents, the government, the churches, the police, the school/college administrators, the artistes, the radio stations and the distributors of these alcholic drinks take responsibility and step forward and say we are not allowing young people in these shows or having any more of these shows. Sooner is better before its too late!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I was wondering when someone was going to bring this up
Like or Dislike:
0 
0