NDC to set out drug plan

(CNS): With the misuse of drugs continuing to have a negative impact on the Cayman Islands community as a whole, the National Drug Council (NDC) will be hosting the 2008 National Anti‐Drug Strategic Planning Meeting this week where it will present a draft of its Anti‐Drug Strategy for the Cayman Islands for 2009‐2013.

The meeting will take place 8 & 9 October at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, and will bring together all relevant entities involved in reducing the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse in the Cayman Islands.

Executive Director of the NDC Joan West‐Dacres said that much work has been done in the past to address the issue of drugs and their social, economic and health related impacts since the original plan of 1995‐1999. “However, the negative consequences of drug use, abuse and trafficking affect not only individuals who use or abuse drugs but also their families and friends, businesses, and government resources and the stability of the country on a whole,” she added. Although many of these effects cannot be quantified, the economic cost of drug abuse to the Cayman Islands in terms of lost wages, illness, crime and violence should not be set aside.”

The draft of the National Anti‐Drug Strategy for the Cayman Islands is a strategic framework to address the unique drug control needs of the Cayman Islands in both demand reduction and supply reduction. West Dares said the broad’s consultative approach taken in the development of the document seeks to ensure that the most comprehensive tools for addressing the national drug situation have been considered and articulated.

“Through ongoing annual strategic meetings and stakeholder contacts, the NDC continues to be made aware of the need for a more coordinated, proactive and integrated approach to the issues of drug control. It is essential for coordination to occur and for effective and sound financial spending in regards to matters of a National Anti‐Drug Plan and we are excited about the revitalization of a National Strategy.”

This two‐day meeting will be facilitated by Dr. Ken‐Garfield Douglas a regional technical advisor and consultant who has assisted with the development of this strategic framework.