Orealla, Siparuta youths identify drug abuse as key community challenge

Young people from the Indigenous communities of Orealla and Siparuta have identified drug use and substance abuse as one of the most pressing challenges facing their villages and have committed to launching a community-wide awareness campaign aimed at addressing the issue. The concern emerged during a civic leadership and participation training programme where participants examined challenges affecting their communities and developed practical responses through discussion, consensus-building and community action planning. Twenty-five youths participated in the Article 13 in Practice, Youth Participation in Action programme, which was held in Orealla and organised by the Guyana Centre for Civic Engagement (GyCCE) with support from the McCain Institute and the McCain Global Leaders Programme. As part of the programme, participants were tasked with identifying issues affecting their communities and proposing practical solutions. Through group discussions and collaborative exercises, drug use and substance abuse among young people emerged as a major concern.

Rather than simply highlighting the problem, participants agreed to take action. The young villagers, have committed to implementing a community awareness initiative over the coming weeks aimed at educating residents, particularly their peers, about the dangers associated with drug use and substance abuse. Planned activities include school visits and educational talks, community awareness sessions, the distribution of informational flyers, the placement of awareness posters throughout the villages, and the erection of a community billboard promoting drug awareness and prevention in Orealla and Siparuta. The project is a practical application of lessons learned during the training programme and reflects the participants’ commitment to contributing to the development and well-being of their communities. Apart from addressing substance abuse, the programme focused on Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana, which promotes inclusionary democracy by providing opportunities for citizens and their organisations to participate in the management and decision-making processes of the State. Throughout the day, participants engaged in interactive sessions designed to transform constitutional principles into practical skills. Activities included civic leadership discussions, dialogue and participation training, simulations, problem-solving exercises and community action planning. Participants also received training in active listening, respectful disagreement, teamwork, consensus-building and constructive community engagement. Through these exercises, they were encouraged to develop the confidence and skills needed to participate more effectively in community life. A key component of the programme was an Article 13 simulation exercise, which allowed participants to experience inclusionary democracy in practice. Working in groups, they identified community priorities, debated options and made collective decisions while ensuring that every participant had an opportunity to contribute. The programme was led by Director of the GyCCE and a member of the 2024 McCain Global Leaders Cohort, Deodat Persaud. During the training, Persaud reflected on the legacy of the late United States (US) Senator John McCain and the importance of leadership rooted in service, integrity and democratic participation. Participants described the programme as engaging, empowering and relevant, noting that it strengthened their understanding of their constitutional rights and responsibilities while increasing their confidence to participate in community life. The anti-drug awareness initiative is expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks, marking what organisers say is an important step in moving young people from dialogue to action as they work to address challenges affecting their communities.