Health Ministry ramps up efforts to tackle youth substance misuse

– as findings show 43% of students consume alcohol, 32% vape & 5% use ganja

As the Government makes significant strides towards addressing substance misuse, particularly among youths, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said tackling the issue requires a multi-agency response, especially since it extends beyond the responsibility of any single institution or country. While acknowledging the work of enforcement agencies, including the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), Dr Anthony said greater focus must also be placed on prevention and early intervention, especially among children and young people. The Health Minister made the statement while addressing a gathering at Guyana’s observance of the International Day Against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse, at the Ministry’s head office, Brickdam, Georgetown, last Friday. For context, youth substance misuse is the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs or prescription medications in a way that is harmful, illegal, or not medically intended. Dr Anthony pointed to findings from the recent screening of more than 6,000 secondary school students, which revealed that 43 per cent of students reported consuming alcohol, 32 per cent engaged in vaping, and five per cent reported using cannabis. “These results are alarming, and therefore we must develop programmes and interventions to prevent it from getting worse,” he said. The Health Minister explained that early exposure to substances such as alcohol can increase vulnerability to further substance use. He highlighted the need for continued collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education to build resilience among students and help them resist peer pressure. Steps were also announced to strengthen Guyana’s treatment and rehabilitation capacity through a partnership with Mount Sinai, which will see local professionals receive specialised training in addiction medicine. Stakeholders were also urged to remain focused on protecting young people and preventing substance-related harm. “If there’s any takeaway, let’s think about what we can do to prevent harm in our children,” the Minister stated.
Meanwhile, presentations were also done by heads of other agencies including James Singh, Director of CANU.

Singh told the gathering that while CANU is primarily recognised for its enforcement operations, the unit has increasingly adopted a multifaceted strategy that includes public education, intelligence sharing and proactive threat assessment. He added that to stay ahead of emerging threats, the Unit is coordinating the National Early Warning System – an initiative designed to identify and issue national alerts regarding the circulation of new and dangerous substances. “Recently, the EWS has been instrumental in warning the public about the influx of synthetic drugs, such as MDMA (ecstasy) and illegal THC vape products, which are particularly targeted at youth markets. By identifying these trends early, CANU enables health and education authorities to respond proactively,” he noted. On the other hand, he noted that the enforcement must be paired with prevention and as such, CANU has launched a robust public awareness campaign. A cornerstone of this effort is the release of a 12-part booklet series titled “The Truth about Drugs.” Director James Singh described the booklets as a “wakeup call,” stating, “At the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit, we believe prevention is as powerful as enforcement. Stopping the spread of addiction begins with truth,” Singh added. The series addresses a wide range of substances, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, vaping, pills and new psychoactive substances (NPS). In addition to the booklet series, the gathering heard that CANU conducted prevention initiatives that reached more than 4000 individuals through school and community outreach programmes during the first half of 2026. As a critical component of its demand reduction initiatives, the Unit actively engages in conducting specialised training sessions with teachers and awareness programmes with parents. These targeted efforts are designed to equip educators and guardians with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify early signs of substance abuse, understand the risks associated with new and emerging drugs and effectively communicate these dangers to youths. By empowering parents and teachers, CANU fosters a supportive environment that reinforces its broader educational campaigns and strengthens community resilience against drug abuse.