DNDC Focusing On Bermuda’s Senior Schools
The Department for National Drug Control [DNDC] is focusing on the island’s senior schools during National Prevention Week 2024.
A Government spokesperson said, “The Department for National Drug Control, under the auspices of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, will be observing this week as National Prevention Week.
“The National Prevention Week 2024 theme ‘A Celebration of Possibility’ is about communities coming together to celebrate the possibilities and brighter futures that exist thanks to the ongoing work of prevention in Bermuda.
“Last month, the DNDC Research Officer reported in the National School Survey 2023 of middle and senior school students that the current use of substances was most prevalent among older students.
“Current alcohol use for all respondents among all substances ranges from a low of 3.7% among M2 students to a high of 26.0% among S4 students; for marijuana, from a low of 0.7% among M2 students to a high of 14.4% among S4 students; and for cigarettes, from a low of 0.2% among M3 students to a high of 1.9% among S3 students.
“The 2023 National School Survey Report can be viewed here.
“As a result, the DNDC Prevention Unit will specifically target the senior student populations who have the highest prevalence of current use. The Drug Prevention Unit of the DNDC will be visiting the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy to share information on the effects that drugs and alcohol have on the individual.
“Students will be informed that drugs are mind-altering substances that affect the brain and can impair judgment, motivation, decision-making and well-being. Students will learn that knowing the facts about drugs and alcohol is their best defence against any pressure from their peers to use.
“Prevention Week 2024 is also an opportunity to raise awareness of adolescent substance misuse and mental health issues, implement prevention strategies and showcase the effectiveness of evidence-based prevention programming. The goal is a healthier community where the prevalence of drugs and alcohol is not problematic.
“Prevention Week is a US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]-supported observance. As the DNDC joins the many organizations that support SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week 2024, we would like to thank our drug prevention partners, Shift, formally known as PRIDE [Bermuda] and CADA, who remain committed to drug prevention efforts for the benefit of our local community.”
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