STUDENT DRUG USE TRIGGERS CONCERNS

Education officials have expressed serious concerns about drug use
among high school students and recently urged the government to make
the implementation of drug programmes and facilities for students a
top priority. The Ministry of National Security recently released
findings of the 2008 National Prevalence of Drug Use in High Schools
Survey, which revealed that peer pressure is a major factor
contributing to drug use by students.

Ministry of Education officials noted that there is a lack of
treatment programmes and facilities for students, particularly in
Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.

They also expressed concerns about the current treatment facilities
that exist for student drug users and suggested that the Ministries
of Health and Education look into alternative accommodations for
students who are referred for drug testing and treatment.

They noted that if the problem of drug usage among students is to be
effectively addressed the issue of drug use among Bahamian students
needs to be made top priority for those ministries.

Officials surveyed eighth to twelfth graders from randomly selected
public and private schools.

The survey revealed that drug use increased as students advanced in age.

Terrance Fountain, researcher with the Ministry of National Security,
said survey findings suggest that with the limited resources
available for drug intervention programmes, students should be
targeted with anti-drug messages at a very early age.

He also said parents should be educated so that they could recognise
drug use and be able to discuss the subject.

The survey also cited marijuana as the most commonly used drug and
according to Mr. Fountain, this is mainly because of its availability and cost.

Cigarettes, methamphetamines, inhalants, alcohol and cocaine usage
among Bahamian students were also examined. However, officials noted
that only a small percentage of the school-aged population used these
types of drugs.

The most surprising finding noted in the study was that more than 70
per cent of public and nearly 50 per cent of private school students
surveyed indicated that they had never been exposed to any anti-drug message.

Mr. Fountain said, however, that principals and teachers were
surprised by this revelation and said otherwise.

He noted that survey facilitators were specially trained to conduct
the survey and that teachers were not allowed in the room during the
administration of the survey.

Students were also given a choice to participate or not.

The researcher further noted that identification indicators or
stigmas were eliminated from the survey.

Additionally, the study was designed at a sixth grade reading level
to ensure that all participants understood what they were being asked.

The study was financed by a grant from the Organization of American
States (OAS), and was also conducted in 33 other Caribbean countries.

The goal of the survey is to assist the Ministry of National Security
with developing a national drug reduction policy for The Bahamas.