Region three students sensitized on harmful effects of substance abuse

(May 31, 2018)- The Department of Education- Region three (Essequibo Island- West Demerara) Guidance and Counselling Department in collaboration with Patentia Secondary School today commenced a five day substance abuse prevention workshop.

The workshop which is being held at the Patentia Community Centre Ground is intended to address the growing concern of substance abuse. According to Priscilla Gonsalves, Senior Guidance and Counselling Officer for Region three, the intervention was necessitated due to the increase in substance abuse by younger adults and also the Ministry of Education (MoE) has recognised that children who are of school age can be affected by this scourge as well.

According to Ms Gonsalves for the next five weeks one day will be set aside for this continuous prevention and sensitization exercise at the Patentia Community Centre Ground. Further, Gonsalves said during this period there will be presentations from the Phoenix Recovery Centre, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of Public Health Mental Health Unit.

At the launching of today’s initiative, the GPF in its presentation to the attendees explained the consequences associated with substance abuse. The participants were also shown examples of some of the most common substances that are abused.

According to the GPF representative, the workshop provides a platform for children to be educated on the issue so that informed choices and decisions can be made. The GPF official said that this will allow for more productive Guyanese citizens that will contribute to the development of the nation.