Cash strapped NDC needs help to survey kids’drug use
(CNS): The National Drug Council says it is facing financial challenges as it prepares to undertake its Student Drug Use Survey next month and is looking for volunteers to help get the work done. In order to understand the current levels of drug and alcohol use among children in middle and high schools and how to tackle the problem, the NDC said it is critical to have accurate figures. The organisation is therefore asking people to give up less then two hours to help them conduct the critical survey that will ensure the council directs its limited resources. The last survey was conducted in 2006 and, according to the statistics, 11.5% of students admitted to some kind of drug use.
The NDC said the survey provides them with a better understanding of drug use among middle and high school students in the Cayman Islands and contributes towards the development and strengthening of prevention programmes and policies, as well as tracking changes in alcohol and drug use patterns.
Over the past 10 years, the survey has identified areas where prevention programmes and treatment may be necessary. More importantly, the survey has been utilised by the public and private sector including government officials, local organisations, special interest groups, and various regional bodies to guide discussions, strategic plans and policies the NDC stated.
Joan West-Dacres, Executive Director for the National Drug Council, said that knowing the drug consumption patterns of young people allows those who are dealing with the effects of substance abuse in our community to properly allocate resources according to the needs of our young people. “We are extremely cognizant of the enormous financial challenges, and we must be careful to apply our resources in the most effective way. Without accurate information like that which is garnered through surveys such as this, it is impossible,” she said.
“This survey will not only allow us to determine the extent of alcohol and drug use among middleandhigh school students in grades 7-12 in the Cayman Islands, but will continue to give those working with young people a base for preparing and improving programmes directed toward our youth”.
Although the NDC has qualified staff, including a research and information officer, and the necessary statistical software and data entry apparatus to carry out its 6th cycle of the Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey, it says it also needs more hands on deck. It is now seeking volunteer fieldwork assistants, who will be required to volunteer approximately 1½ hours during the week of 12-16 April to administer the survey to students in classrooms. There will be two sessions – morning and afternoon. Ideally, the NDC says it needs 70 to 80 fieldwork assistants in order to collect the data in an efficient and timely manner.
If you would like to Volunteer please contact us on 949-9000 or email info@ndc.ky .
Category: Local News
I know of 3 highly paid civil servants who are collecting wages without working. Perhaps they could volunteer for an effort such as this.
I agree with this comment and also they could skim a few civil servants from each department during working hours and send them out to do this without having to pay any extra money. Civil Servants should be concerned about cutting costs and one way to do this is not to be so rigid about your job description and volunteer to do things above and beyond what you are paid to do. Dont start with the bashing for I am a civil servant and we must learn to serve.
Who is the minister responsible for this important entity? Is it Education or Health Ministers? They need to make sure this department is properly funded. Shame on them as this would be one section that should never be without funds. Too many of our young people are falling to drugs. Never heard of this when PPM was in power. These departments got the funds they needed.
Because you did not hear of it under the PPM regime does not mean that it was not happening. Lest you forget we are broke because of the PPM – maybe you should be wondering just exactly where they did spend OUR money
response to who is the minister : I would like to say that we are in a financial mess because no one from the last government could balance the check book. therefore we have no money and ll things are being cutt in cost. your remark and the remark of others PPM/UDP is so stupid.
What we should do is all help – I am signed up to help the survey – you see many years agaon CAYMANIANS like your self did nto want surveys as we were too good to be on drugs or is ti again too stupid.
we had no gangs yet we have just as many guns as Jamaica… the time the bunch take to talk about UDP/PPM take the time to figure out what is wrong with the country other than trying to look a seat for unna friends.
PPM re-wrote/amended the constitution and to this date they cannot help the civil servants with the pay cutts yet the answer is in the fine lines of same.
PLEASE – WHAT I PONDER DAILY IS WOULD SOMEONE FROM THE PPM TELL ME WHO FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS SPENT THE COUNTRIES MONEY TO THE EXTENT OF WHERE WE ARE????? GOOD GOVERNMENT WOULD AHVE ADMITTED ITS FAULT AND JUSTIFIED ITS OVER SPENDING PPM HAS NTO EVEN TRIED TO DO SAME. THE COUNTRY IS IN A BETTER HAND WHEN PPM IS IN POWER YOU SAY… GOOD THING THEY PAYING YOU…
Lets support the work of NDC as this is one of the biggest problems which have affected our nation. Drugs and Guns have flooded the streets. It all starts at the early teens. And at home as well. We all should be able to account for our children’s behavior.