FACILITATED by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Region 3 Regional Culture, Youth and Sport Division, the communities of Fort Island, Lower Bonasika, Bendaff and Hubu in collaboration with the National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF) began the observance of ‘World Drugs Day’ with a shouting message of ‘no to drugs!!’ This rally took place at one of our country’s Heritage Sites on ‘Vleggen Eyland’, interpreted – Flag Island, today known as Fort Island in the Essequibo River. An awareness session was done by Ms. Hazel Wilson the Regional Culture, Youth and Sport Officer and ably supported by Mr. Cleveland Somrah, teacher from Uitvlugt Secondary School, Mr. Ray Kumar, District representative from Leonora, Ms. Zalifa Debedin (Pretty), Head Mistress, Ms. Charlene Ward and teacher Ms. Roma of Fort Island School and National Amerindian Development Foundation president, Mr. Ashton Simon and team.
The session focused and strongly emphasised the negative impact of substance abuse. Youths and elders gathered for the rally unequivocally condemned the use of drugs and implored youths and others present not to let the message die but to ensure they share and encourage others to take up the challenge of discouraging the use of drugs by their peers at schools, sports events, gatherings and even in homes where parents mislead their offspring. The objective of the session was to convey awareness to the youths to be knowledgeable about the effects of drug use and abuse.
Messages on banners of Fort Island, Lower Bonasika, Hubu and Bendaff read: ‘Keep Fort Island drug free, say no to drugs’ – ‘We declare to the nation NO TO DRUGS’ – ‘Drugs destroy families’ – ‘Drugs is one of the leading causes of teenage pregnancy, so let’s say NO TO DRUGS’. It was a well organised rally taking into consideration the challenges of logistics and locality of the attending communities.
The event ended after a fierce debate which saw the Proposing Team debating that ‘Drugs are the leading cause of unemployment and suicide’, while the ‘Opposing Team’ rebutted that ‘Drugs are not the leading cause of unemployment and suicide’ the Proposing Team took the prize.
Mr. Ashton Simon from the National Amerindian Development Foundation took the opportunity to allay fears that support and attention for the riverine communities are often thought to be non-existent, but pointed to the fact that their presence for the activity proved the opposite. NADF also pledged its continued support for programmes designed to help our riverine youths. It is hoped that similar activities will become possible, targeting isolated communities in making them more aware of topical events and issues.