DRUGS DRUGS (Controlled Drugs):(Controlled Drugs):

WHAT EVERY WHAT EVERY TEACHER TEACHER

SHOULD KNOWSHOULD KNOW

Objectives:

• To identify the nature and extent of the drug situation in Grenada, with reference to students;

• To identify the prevalence of drug use among students;

• To identify strategies which teachers can use to prevent or reduce the use of drug among students.

• There are at least seventeen pieces of legislation in Grenada which deal with various aspects of ‘drugs’.

• The principal legislation for this presentation is the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act, 1992.

Definition of Terms:Definition of Terms:

Drug Abuse

(Prevention and Control) Act,

1992

Controlled Drug:

•any narcotic drug for the time being listed in Part I of the First Schedule;

•any psychotropic substance for the time being listed in Part II of the First Schedule;• •any listed substance for the time being listed in Part III of the First Schedule.

School premises: any nursery school, primary or secondary school, technical institution, training centre, teachers’ college, community college, university or any other educational institution for children or young persons and includes buildings, playing fields or other premises established or maintained by such institutions for the benefit of its pupils or students whether or not such buildings, playing fields or other premises are within the curtilage of the institution.

• Child: a person under the age of fourteen years.

• Young Person: a person who is fourteen years of age or upwards and under the age of eighteen years

Overview:Overview:

Drug SituationDrug Situation

in Grenadain Grenada

Grenada Is At Risk To Drugs, Crime & Violence

High poverty level

High rate of unemployment

Geographic location

No big industry

Source: Hegamin-Younger, Dr, Cecilia; Examination Of Drug Related Data, Economic Factors And Potential Causes In Changes, 2009

Males are more at risk of being poor than females; 39.5 % of all males are deemed poor, compared to 36.2 % of all females.

Unemployment rate among males is 31.8 %, compared to 17.9 % among females.

Source: Grenada Poverty Assessment Survey, 2007/2008

Survival Strategies Identified

‘Well maybe a little gambling’

Source: Grenada Poverty Assessment Survey, 2007/2008

GAMBLING:

CARDS & MONEY

GAMBLING:

CARDS & MONEY

‘Having sex for money’

‘Selling drugs, fastest way to make money’

Source: Grenada Poverty Assessment Survey, 2007/2008

ARMS TRAFFICKING, MONEY LAUNDERING,

TERRORISM,PROSTITUTION,

OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

LOCAL AND REGIONAL DRUG TRADE

Linkages Between Drugs & Crime

INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRADE

Grenada Drug Grenada Drug Information NetworkInformation Network

(GRENDIN) (GRENDIN) Statistical Report of Indicators Statistical Report of Indicators

1988 to 20101988 to 2010

 

 

Arrests

• 8,786 persons were arrested and charged for drug-related offences. (Males: 8,141; Females: 645)

• 20 persons (males) were arrested and charged for possession of drugs within a radius of 100 yards of schools. 

 

 

• 1,266 persons twenty years and under were arrested and charged.

(Males: 1,121; Females: 145)

• 14 per cent of all persons arrested and charged for drug-related offences in the State of Grenada, are 20 years and under.

 

 

Imprisonment

• 1,747 persons were imprisoned for drug-related offences.

(Males: 1,667; Females: 80)

Type And Quantity Of Drugs Seized

• Cannabis plants: 334,938 un

• Marijuana cigarettes: 34,003 un

• Marijuana: 10,861 kg

• Cocaine: 1, 095.63 kg

• Crack: 15.76 kg

• Ecstasy: 3, 338 un

• Methamphetamines: 89 un

• 528 students (505 males; 23 females) were arrested and charged for various offences between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2010.

• A student under age seven (7) years cannot be arrested and charged.

Grenada Secondary School Grenada Secondary School

Drug Prevalence SurveyDrug Prevalence Survey((20052005 ) )

Key Findings

Drug use is major problem affecting youth, including their health.

Alcohol, tobacco and marijuana are main drugs used.

Illegal drugs are easy to get.

CIGARETTES: Average age for first use: 11 years.

Prevalence of cigarette use increased with age.

ALCOHOL: Average age of first drink is 11 years.

Higher the form, more students drink alcohol.

Students using alcohol have more behavioral and discipline problems and repeat forms.

Students whose friends drink excessively, tend to increase their own prevalence of alcohol use.

MARIJUANA: Average age of first use of marijuana is

13.

Marijuana use increased with age and

form.

Possible Factors Possible Factors for for

Drug Use Among Drug Use Among StudentsStudents

Personal, Biological Factors

• Genetic predisposition

• Developmental lags

• Learning disabilities

• Antisocial behaviour in childhood and adolescence

• High-sensation-seeking behaviour

• Low self-esteem

• Favourable attitudes toward drug use, violence

Interpersonal Factors: Family, Peers

• Family circumstances

• Family attitudes to drugs and violence

• Poor bonding to family, poor communication among family members

•Early and persistent problem behaviors

• Academic failure

• Association with drug-using and violent peers

• Alienation, rebelliousness

• Lack of social and personal competence

Social, Environmental & Cultural Factors

• Cultural trends

• Societal disintegration

• Availability of drugs

• Economic deprivation

• Neighborhood disorganization

• Community attitudes, behaviour

• High rates of crime and substance use

• Stress from social, economic and other situations

Signs & Symptoms Signs & Symptoms

of of

Drug UseDrug Use

•Teachers tend to notice both positive and negatives changes in various areas f their students lives.

•They are therefore in an excellent position to provide guidance and referral services to students who may need assistance to correct negative behaviours.

• Signs and symptoms of negative forms of behaviours could be non-specific and caused by a number of factors.

• If your students show a number of these behaviors (signs/symptoms) it is possible that they may be using drugs. Your early intervention is required.

These signs and symptoms could include:

Inability to sleep or sleeping most of the

time

Red and watery eyes

Profuse sweating

Reduced attention span and forgetfulness

Tremors or shaking

Low motivation and achievement

Paranoia

Secretive behavior

Stealing money, lying

Unable to account for their time, absence

Changes in behaviour, friends

Aggression

Unexplained sums of money, cell phones, clothes, bling-bling

Possession of drugs and drug

paraphernalia

Drug Paraphernalia Drug Paraphernalia

MARIJUANA & WRAPPERMARIJUANA & WRAPPER

CRACK PIPESCRACK PIPES

National Schools’ Policy

On Drugs

www.gov.gd/ncodc.html

The National Schools’ Policy was approved by Cabinet in February 2002.

Principal goals:

  To promote a healthy lifestyle

among students, free of drug use.

To provide a mechanism for the

appropriate identification of alcohol,

tobacco and drug-related problems, and

early intervention among students.

To provide firm, consistent, and

equitable disciplinary action regarding

tobacco, alcohol-related or drug-related

infractions, and

To provide support services to students

with an identified tobacco, alcohol or

substance abuse concern or problem.

  

Guidelines:Guidelines:Seizure of DrugsSeizure of Drugs

Distinguish between seizure and confiscationDistinguish between seizure and confiscation

ALWAYS:

• Notify the relevant authorities if there is reasonable suspicion that a student is using drugs or has drugs in his/her possession.

• Place the drug (s) in a secure area.

• Limit access to the secure area where the drugs are being kept.

• Use appropriate protective wear, such as rubber gloves, to handle the drug, where possible.

• Request the students to remove the contents of their bags and place them on a table etc.

• Wash your hands properly after handling any confiscated controlled drugs.

• If any drugs, weapons etc. are found, inform the student (s) that these items would be confiscated.

•Let the student see the items that are found.

•Document the items found (description, date etc.)

• Wash your hands properly after handling any confiscated controlled drugs.

• Bathe and change your clothing immediately, if the drug spills on any part of your person.

NEVER:

• Smell, taste, or swallow the substance.

• Inform unauthorized personnel, including the media of any drug seizures.

• Conduct strip searches of students.

• Remove the drug from the school compound, unless authorized to do such by a member of the Royal Grenada Police Force.

• Display the drugs for staff or members of the public to view or handle.

• Engage in physical confrontation, fights etc. in an attempt to seize drugs from a student.

NEED INFORMATION, NEED INFORMATION, ASSISTANCEASSISTANCE

Drug Control Secretariat:Drug Control Secretariat:440-7911440-7911

Royal Grenada Police Force:Royal Grenada Police Force:440-3764; 440-3999; 444-1958440-3764; 440-3999; 444-1958

THANK YOU