The National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) has embarked on the first of two surveys to be conducted in primary and secondary schools across Barbados, to determine the level of drug use among the island’s school-aged children.
Minister of Home Affairs, Edmund Hinkson, said the national level surveys would also examine the sources and locations of use; access to drugs; the perception of harm associated with drug use; and curiosity about drug use.
In addition, he said, for the first time, the surveys will also explore other social issues, such as social media and bullying, which may be contributing factors to drug use among the youth.
Hinkson explained that the primary school survey was presently in the data collection phase, while the secondary school survey was scheduled for the start of the new school year.
“It is expected that the results of the primary school survey will be available before the end of the academic year; the findings of which will be shared nationally,” he said. (BGIS)
