Region 3 students sensitised on harmful effects of substance abuse

The Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Department of Education’s Guidance and Counselling Department, in collaboration with Patentia Secondary School, on Thursday 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 problem of substance abuse.
According to Region Three Senior Guidance and Counselling Officer Priscilla Gonsalves, the intervention was necessary given the increase in substance abuse by younger adults and more so, the Education Ministry has recognised that children who are of school age can be affected by this scourge as well.
Gonsalves noted that for the next five weeks, one day will be set aside for this continuous prevention and sensitisation 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 Public Health Ministry’s Mental Health Unit.
At the launch, 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 would allow for more productive Guyanese citizens who would contribute to the development of the nation.