Minimal reports of drug usage among youths in Region 3 – Commander
Reports of drug abuse among youths and schoolchildren in Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara) are minimal as Guyana Police Force’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programme in schools continue to reap successes.
Police Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara), Senior Superintendent Linden Lord
This is according to Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord, who, in an interview with Guyana Times, explained that young people in the region are becoming more informed and aware of the negative effects that come with using illicit substances.
He stated that although there may be cases where youths are using illegal substances at their homes or private residences among other locations, the issue of drug abuse is not as widespread or alarming as it was one year ago, when reports surfaced about a growing trend throughout the country by schoolchildren.
Commander Lord noted that there has not been an increase of reports in this regard and that in the past six weeks, he has taken control of that Region; no teacher or school administrator has contacted any Police station in his Division to report matters of substance abuse.
His predecessor, Commander Edmond Cooper, just two months ago had stated to this publication that even as the DARE programme continues to be expanded in various educational institutions across communities, a lot of work needs to be done to sustain it.
At that time, he had noted that the implementation of the DARE programme in his policing Division has resulted in keeping the rate of students using drugs in schools at a minimum.
“We just got to sustain it. The children are receptive about the information. They are even excited about the information because remember it is a comparative analysis they are making with what they see on television as opposed to what the Police are saying”.
He had also stated that while successes are notable, such an initiative needs to be sustained in order to have maximum results since it not only benefits children attending schools but also their families and friends that live in their villages.
