National consultations coming to tackle gambling, drug abuse & impact of social media on children

The Guyana Government will be rolling out a series of national consultations to address a number of issues plaguing society, from gambling and drug abuse to the impact of social media on young children.
President Dr Irfaan Ali made these revelations on Wednesday evening as he presented his Administration’s policy agenda for economic and social transformation of Guyana and Guyanese over the next five years.
According to the Head of State, he has been besieged with grave concerns from parents, teachers and elders about the corrosive effects of social media, especially on the young population.
This challenge, he noted, is not peculiar to Guyana, with its impact keenly felt in homes and classrooms, particularly among impressionable children.
Ali pointed out that while other countries are already taking drastic steps, such as restricting social media for children and young people under the age of 16, his Government’s response will be driven by feedback from the population.
“I have been urged repeatedly and passionately that we must act to arrest the abuse and harmful effects of social media. In the spirit of consultation that will characterise how my administration shapes policy over the next five years, I’ve therefore asked the Ministers of Education [Sonia Parag]; Information [Kwame McCoy]; Labour [Keoma Griffith]; and Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation [Zulfikar Ally] to embark on national consultations so that our response is thoughtful, inclusive and anchored in the recommendation of our people,” the President stated.
Only earlier this month, there was a video that went viral of minors dancing inappropriately with each other during what appears to be a Christmas social at a Georgetown secondary school.
The Education Ministry has condemned the behaviour of students seen in a now-viral video that captured minors dancing inappropriately with each other during what appears to be a Christmas social at a Georgetown secondary school.
Education Minister Sonia Parag had expressed deep concerns over the content circulating online, which shows students – suspected to be in Grades Seven to Nine – engaging in “inappropriate and vulgar behaviour” while dressed in school uniforms.
“Let me be very clear: the Ministry of Education DOES NOT condone such behaviour or conduct by students, whether it is a Christmas social or otherwise,” Parag declared.
The incident has sparked concern among parents, educators and the public regarding supervision at school-hosted activities. However, it was noted that the Ministry had instructed headteachers to properly supervise and control Christmas socials.
According to Parag, those responsible for failing to provide supervision must be held accountable.

Drug abuse
Another troubling challenge that the Guyanese leader highlighted on Wednesday is the spread of new forms of substance abuse, including dangerous varieties of vaping and the use of potent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other drugs known to impair cognitive abilities.
The Head of State explained that this is not a distant threat but a present and pressing international pandemic.
“I wish to address these emerging forms of substance abuse directly through informed policy, public education and coordinated action that place prevention and protection at the centre of what we do,” he noted while recommitting to work with international partners against all forms of drug smuggling.
“We have a global responsibility to save this generation and generations to come… [And we’ve] sharpened our fight against narcotics to protect our children and our communities,” the President added.

Unchecked gambling
Meanwhile, the Guyanese leader said he has been equally bombarded with concerns from families, religious leaders and community advocates about the ill effects of gambling, which has seeped into too many households, eroding savings, imposing financial hardships, straining relationships and fuelling harmful social consequences.
“This too…”, according to President Ali, “…demands a collective reckoning. We’ll consult widely with all stakeholders and those who regulate. Arising out of these deliberations, we will incorporate concrete measures in the 2026 budget to confront and curtail this courage.”
Also speaking on the pernicious influence of unchecked gambling, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at his press conference on Thursday that while there is no specific demographic that this issue is affecting, it has widespread impact.
“It cuts across [all categories]. It happens at some places, even in the workplace. At construction sites, people sit at the top of a seven-storey building, and they’re placing a bet on their phone. [It’s] an addiction, so…it’s really, really affecting a lot of people,” he stated.
Jadgeo says that while many would not like this move to curb gambling, it is a necessary step in shaping Guyanese society.
In the past, gambling was once limited to guests of hotel-based casinos, but with hundreds of betting shops in communities across Guyana and online mobile apps, the practice has quickly caused a major social problem across the country.
Back in October, the Vice President had indicated that the Government would be tightening regulations and imposing higher taxes on online gambling after increasing complaints of breadwinners losing their money to this activity instead of taking care of their families.
“We have already made it clear that this gambling that has blossomed and created a series of negative problems for our communities, breaking up families, creating hardship for a lot of single parents, mothers especially, where people utilise the money that they have, the income, to all day be online gambling,” Jagdeo had stated at a previous press conference.
Nevertheless, both President Ali and VP Jagdeo emphasised the roles that religious and community leaders will have to play as part of the efforts to address these societal scourges.
“A truly strong society is one that cultivates compassion as a virtue, encourages greater civic mindedness in daily life, and recognises the indispensable role of religious and social organisation in shaping hearts as well as habits. These institutions are the moral ligaments of the nation, binding us together, reminding us that prosperity without humanity is hollow. And here, the religious community, our religious leaders, will have to take leadership and as a Government, we will work with you in supporting programmes, policies and projects that will achieve this agenda,” the Head of State declared.