By:
Peta Rowe-Forde
Barbados is not a place for drugs.
This was the strong message sent by Chairman of the Drug Education and Counselling Services (DECS), Pastor Roger Husbands, during a special morning service yesterday as he acknowledged approximately ten young boys who have successfully completed programmes at the Center.
Husbands noted that the faith-based non-governmental organization, in its 12 years of existence, treated well over 1 000 young people on the island referred from various departments and institutions. He went on to say, “The drug use has literally divided Barbados into different territories for drug sale distribution… Barbados is not a place for this!”
The pastor admonished drug sellers, noting that their industry is killing the moral fragment of the nation. However, according to him, they can rest assured that DECS will continue to win over young people who engage in these activities.
He continued, noting that “Barbados’ only means of foreign exchange at this time is Tourism and its people as a capital resource to help improve its economy… However, what our young people have to understand is that in order to make things better in this nation, they and the government have to work together to make Barbados a paradise again.”
Turning his attention to the young people he stated, “Young people if we keep the trend of poor conflict skills up, we will devalue this nation that our forefathers has worked so hard to build… Young people, if you continue to go to school and use school as a chill spot and not learn anything, you will soon realize that you too are devaluing this nation. You are Barbados’ only way of improvement and we have to start saying that you are important and not just hard ears…you are Barbados’ way to prosperity and success.”
Likewise, sending a message to the teachers of the nation, Husbands asked that they continue to do the great work that they are doing in educating and training the young people. However he also asked that they help to rid the schools of those teachers who just come to school for a pay check and do not do what they are called to do. In fact, he asked that those minority who are not doing their job be reported and those who are trying to find their way, be mentored so that schools may thrive.
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