Contributors. Patrick Fearon, Senior Mental Wellnes Counsellor, Boys Training Centre. Andrea Alcide, Social Worker, Boys Training Centre

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2 Contributors Patrick Fearon, Senior Mental Wellnes Counsellor, Boys Training Centre Andrea Alcide, Social Worker, Boys Training Centre Elvin Ryan Germain, Activities Coordinator, Boys Training Centre Robert Huggins, Programme Officer, Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat (SAACS) Naomie Grandison, Registered Nurse 2

3 CONTENTS Purpose/Motivation for Amy Winehouse Foundation Why Drug awareness at Boys Training Centre? Outcomes for Drug Awareness Program Activities Framework for Drug Awareness Program Topics/ Core Lessons of Drug Awareness Program Basic Expectations of BTC Drug Awareness Program Budget of Drug Awareness Program 3

4 Purpose/Motivation for Amy Winehouse Foundation The purpose of this program is to develop an awareness of substance abuse in young persons and to collaborate with the Boys Training Centre to rehabilitate the young men in its care. The funding agency is the Amy Winehouse Foundation (AWF). The goal of the Amy Winehouse Foundation (AWF) is to prevent the effects of drug and alcohol misuse by young people. It also aim to support, inform and inspire vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to help them reach their full potential. The Foundation s work focuses on three core areas 1. To inform and educate young people about the effects of drug and alcohol misuse, as well as to support those seeking help for their problems and those needing on- going support in their recovery. 2. To provide support for those most vulnerable, including those who are disadvantaged through circumstance or at high risk of substance misuse. 3. To support the personal development of disadvantaged young people through music 4

5 Why Drug awareness at Boys Training Centre? The typical ward who enters the Boys Training Centre comes from a background of high vulnerability for drug/substance use/abuse and therefore stands to benefit significantly from a solid drug awareness program. Such a drug awareness program is an important first step in helping such vulnerable youth gain the upper hand in confronting the prevailing issue of drugs/substance use/abuse. Among the factors that place the typical incoming BTC ward at high risk for drug/substance use/abuse, are the following: A domestic environment in which close family members casually use/abuse drugs/substance Background or domestic circumstance that makes it easy to get drafted into the drug culture Peers who casually use/abuse drugs/substance Prior benefits (real or perceived), through illicit involvement in the drug culture Deficit of proper information and education on the effects of drug/substance use/abuse Other social deficits that characterize much of the incoming BTC population of wards, for example, illiteracy, immature moralities, cognitive distortions, as well as a variety of behavioural disorders such as Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. 5

6 Outcomes for Drug Awareness Program To develop and implement a meaningful project in collaboration with the Amy Winehouse Foundation and National Substance Abuse Advisory. To inform the wards and staff about Saint Lucia policies regarding the use of drugs and alcohol, as well as the legal implications and consequences. To educate the wards and staff about the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on overall health, wellness, and social well - being. To support the wards and staff struggling with drug and alcohol related issues by having referral services information and designated staff available for counselling. To maintain a drug and alcohol free environment by informing, educating, and supporting wards and staff. To present project results to the project stakeholders. 6

7 Activities Framework for Drug Awareness Program 7

8 Topics/ Core Lessons Resource Persons Topic/Core Lessons ( & mobile) 1 Introduction Session: Drug Awareness Robert Huggins Proposed Duration Noamie Grandison 2 nd June 2 Marajuana And Cocaine Clement Edward 9 th to 16 th June 3 Alcohol Mr. Medouze 16 th to 23 rd June 4 Misacalleous Drugs Barry Modeste 23 rd to 30 th June 5 Family and Society 30 th June to 7 th July 6 Pathway to addiction Dr. King Angie Montoute 7 Legal implications and consequences Lawyer/ police officer Thomas Theobalds Al Elliot Jr. Miguel Lansiquot Gros Islet Police Officers 8 Health Implications and consequences Dr. Gabriel Dr. Matthew 7 th to 14 th July 14 th to 21 st July 21 st to 28 th July 9 Staying Drug Free Noamie Grandison 28 th July to 4 th August 8

9 Basic Expectations for the Boys Training Centre s Drug Awareness Program It is expected that by the end of the Boys Training Centre s Drug Awareness Program, the various participants, namely, the Wards of the State who reside at the Boys Training Centre throughout the running of the program, will become sufficiently educated and informed in the essentials of the topics covered, and will thus be better equipped to make healthy choices for themselves concerning Drugs / Substances. The participants, will, at the very least, be expected to verbally or in writing, satisfactorily express well- informed views on the topics as they are assessed through an appropriate Post- Test of the program. The topics of the Drug Awareness Program are as follows: Major Drugs / Substances that are Used/Abused, or likely to be Used/Abused in Saint Lucia. Examples: Marijuana, Alcohol, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Heroin, Ecstasy, etc. The taking of Prescription Drugs as a means to get high (especially medication prescribed for other persons) is to be addressed. A look at Alternative / Miscellaneous Substances that are used to alter one s mood or mental state (for example, sniffing glue or smoking the contents of tea bags, or using an assorted mixture of Cocaine/Tobacco/Various Plants Ta- bag- jab ), is to be discussed in this topic. Misconceptions or Erroneous Beliefs Concerning Drug Use / Substance Use in Society. EXAMPLES: Some youths believe that ordinary young people who live in normal homes or who go to a top school, or persons who hold decent jobs don t use drugs or get addicted. Some youths believe that drug addicts are only the people who sleep on the streets and walk around as jombies or who use guns or knives to rob people in order to get money to buy drugs. Some youths say that if people want to use drugs the Government should not stop them because it is their life and what they do with their life is nobody s business. Some youths believe that using drugs is not such a bad idea because drugs can make 9

10 you feel nice when you get frustrated. Some youths insist that dealing in, or using illegal drugs is okay or good, especially if a person is poor and the police do not catch him/her). Defining Drug/Substance Use, Drug/Substance Abuse, Drug/Substance Dependency. A clear delineation of what it means to be classified as any of the following: a) Drug User, b) Drug Abuser, c) Drug Dependent Person. Pathway to Addiction: understanding the Basic Physiological and Psychological Processes or Steps that lead people into Addiction or Compulsive Behaviours. Health Implications: common Health Issues associated with Drug/Substance Use, Drug/Substance Abuse, or Drug/Substance Dependency. Examples include both psychological and physical health issues such as exacerbation of mental health disorders; physical diseases such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS, to which people become more susceptible through high risk behaviours and practices when under the influence of drugs or alcohol; other health problems related to alcohol abuse Cirrhosis of the Liver, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; illnesses or risks associated with intravenous drug use Hepatitis C; other physical diseases associated with substance use (including nicotine addiction / chronic tobacco use lung cancer, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD), etc; health implications associated with violence and accidents, which people become more susceptible to when under the influence of alcohol or drugs statistics from domestic abuse and traffic accidents/road accidents associated with use/abuse of drugs or alcohol. Legal Implications of Involvement with drugs, whether as Drug User, Drug Abuser, Drug Dependent, or Drug Distributor, etc. What are the Illegal Acts related to Drugs / Substances in society? Examples: Trafficking, Distributing, Using, Public Intoxication, Operating a Vehicle under the Influence of Intoxicants, Selling Alcohol or Tobacco to Minors, Peddling Alcohol or Tobacco without the 10

11 Requisite License, Dispensing Prescription Medication without Legal Authorization, etc. Social and Domestic Impact on the Family and Society. For example, domestic impact of alcoholism or drug addiction such as abusive and assaultive behaviours in the home; neglect or abandonment of responsibilities; financial toll to feed addictive habits; monetary cost to meet legal fees associated with arrest; personal, domestic and social embarrassment or stigma associated with imprisonment or incarceration. Staying Drug Free / Becoming Drug free: The way out (or the way forward) if you had already started using or abusing drugs. What you can do to stay drug- free, for example, using drug awareness information and knowledge in a responsible manner; understanding the Impact of Peers as well as the Value of Accountability. 11

12 Budget for the Drug Awareness Program Expenses Projected Cost Administration Fees Certificates/tokens $ Rental of Venue(s) $ Transportation $ Rental of Equipment $ Administration Sub Total $ Printing and Stationery Stationery $ Printing material $ Other printing $40.00 Program/Session booklets $0.00 Printing and Stationery Sub Total $ Food and Beverage Cost Drinks $ Fruits $75.00 Snacks $ Water $95.00 Lunch $ Food & Beverage Sub Total Miscanellous Cost Contingency cost $ Miscanlleous Cost Sub Total $ Total Budget $

13 References Schools Based Education for Drug Free Prevention By United Nations, Office of Drug and Crime, 2004 Drug Education: Programmes and Methodology. An Overview of Opportunities for Drug Prevention by UNESCO, Preventionof Drug Abuse Unit, Division of Renovation Educational Curricula and Structures 13

14 Appendix In light of the academic level at which most of the participants function, the Pre- Test and Post- Test need to be very simple. See sample Pre- Test below SAMPLE PRETEST ANSWER TRUE or FALSE TO THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS: 1. It is legal for young persons to buy and drink alcohol in Saint Lucia because alcohol is a legal substance in Saint Lucia. TRUE / FALSE 2. Ordinary youths who live in a good home with a father and mother who are both working, and who go to top schools such as Saint Joseph s Convent or Saint Mary s College, are not at risk for using drugs or becoming addicted. TRUE / FALSE 3. It is safe to try any drug just once. TRUE / FALSE 4. Drug dependency is the same thing as drug abuse. TRUE / FALSE 5. When a person decides to use drugs for the first time, it is usually a matter of choice to start, but when the person becomes addicted or dependent on the drugs, it is a more complicated matter than simply making a choice to stop. TRUE / FALSE 6. It is a safe idea to use drugs as much as you want to as a youth and don t worry about addiction as long as you plan to make a change and stop using drugs as soon as you become an adult. TRUE / FALSE 7. Drugs can make mental health problems become worse. TRUE / FALSE 8. Driving while intoxicated or drunk is not against the law in Saint Lucia. TRUE / FALSE 14

15 9. People who are drug addicts or alcohol dependent can easily stop using drugs or drinking alcohol any time they wish to do so. TRUE / FALSE 10. Using drugs or alcohol can result in young people becoming engaged in high- risk sexual behaviours that increase the young persons chance of getting a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) such as Syphilis, Gonorrhea, HIV/AIDs, etc. TRUE / FALSE 11. Taking drugs intravenously (that is, using a needle to inject drugs into your body through a vein) is a healthy habit as long as you use a clean needle. TRUE / FALSE 12. If two people are quarrelling at home it is a good idea for one of them to just sit down and drink a few glasses of rum or a few bottles of beer, while he/she listens carefully to how the other person is cursing him/her. TRUE / FALSE 13. Dealing with drugs is good if you make money from it and don t get caught by the police, especially if you are poor and don t have a job. TRUE / FALSE 14. It is okay to use my mother s prescription medication to get high. Nothing is wrong with that because it is the doctor who gave the medication to my mother. TRUE / FALSE 15. Peers can influence your attitude to drugs, so in order to stay drug free you must be careful to know how your peers are influencing you. TRUE / FALSE 16. Once a person becomes a drug abuser or a drug addict, there is no hope of changing, so the person should not waste his/her time trying to change. TRUE / FALSE 15