National Council on Drug Abuse opens regional office in Drax Hall

The National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) opened its Northeast Regional Office in Drax Hall, St Ann, on Friday, part of its drive for a drug-free Jamaica and to make services more accessible to residents in the area.

The office joins other NCDA locations already operating in Montego Bay, Spanish Town, Mandeville, and the head office in Kingston.

Krystal Lee, state minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, hailed the opening as a positive step in the fight against substance abuse in St Ann. She later told The Gleaner that the move was “a big deal for health in Jamaica.”

“Jamaica, like the rest of the world, is actually facing a crisis as it relates to substance misuse and abuse,” Lee noted.

“The opening of this facility, being that St Ann is in the top three parishes that are rated highly for substance abuse, is a very big step and a good step towards crippling this terrorist that has taken over our youth and others. So, this is good, they have a safe space now they can come, have somebody to talk to. The health workers here will also go out in the field to provide support. This is indeed a very big deal and I want to say congratulations to the NCDA team, the Ministry of Health and Wellness.”

Michael Belnavis, mayor of St Ann’s Bay and councillor for the Ocho Rios division, welcomed the office, saying it would help address issues affecting substance abuse in the town.

“They say alcoholism is leading the national trend right now and the fact the Ocho Rios is the party capital of Jamaica, we need to now recognise that we need to own all of these issues and deal with them,” Belnavis told The Gleaner.

“The fact that the Government has chosen this area is instructive because we can now deal with all the issues associated, particularly alcoholism tobacco abuse, so, it is welcome and it is here to help the people of St Ann and can only be good for the parish.”

VITAL ACCESS POINT

Meanwhile, the NCDA team is eager to begin work.

Paulette Spencer-Smith, the council’s executive director, said the office provides a vital point of access, stressing that support is not limited to those with substance abuse problems.

“Previously, we were in the parish but didn’t have a location where people could walk in and access their psychosocial support, mental wellness support, counselling support, case management that is going to happen from here. So, we’re offering a connection to the mental health services through the ministry of health but we are providing recovery support that is accessible, and it is free.

Staff members are here to be able to support people and there is always going to be somebody here if you’re willing to talk.”

Regional Manager Nordia Henry said the NCDA’s work will continue with renewed focus, particularly in schools.

“We currently have some in-school prevention programmes that’s ongoing, schools are one of our biggest stakeholders and partners. We prefer to do prevention than having to do the intervention,” Henry explained.

She added that the team is working with communities to spread the word about the new office, which should enable wider reach and greater impact.

Last year, the NCDA warned Jamaicans about alcohol misuse after the World Health Organization (WHO) released findings showing a direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer. The WHO reported that alcohol is a major contributing factor in at least seven types of cancer: breast, liver, mouth, colorectum, oesophagus, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx).

NCDA research indicates that just over 77 per cent of Jamaicans have consumed alcohol at some point. The council also raised alarm at the prevalence of binge drinking, defined as consuming five or more drinks on a single occasion.

The NCDA may be contacted at (876)-564-HELP (876-564-4357). Toll-free: 1-888-991-4244.

carl.gilchrist@gleanerjm.com