Workplace Anti-drug programme launched
- Ramsammy says Guyanese drink too much alcohol
By Priya Nauth
THE Ministry of Health’s Drug Demand Reduction and Health Promotion Programme, in collaboration with Phoenix Recovery Project, on Wednesday launched its Workplace Anti-Drug Sensitisation Programme aimed at educating employees of the public and private sectors on the dangers of drug use.


‘DRUG FREE IS THE WAY TO BE’: From left, Focal Point of the Drug Demand Reduction Programme, Ms. Sheranne Isaacs; Director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Programme, Dr. Marcia Paltoo; and Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy at the launching of the Workplace Anti-drug Sensitisation Programme and Television and Radio Programme on Wednesday.



It also initiated its television programme ‘Changing Course’ scheduled to commence on May 22 on the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Radio programme ‘Tales from the Crack’ on the Voice of Guyana from May 28.

The programmes will be hosted by Ms. Andrea Bryan and Mr. Malcolm Ferreira respectively.
The launching was held at the Zoom Inn Hotel, Georgetown.
The workplace programme will focus on three categories of drug use and abuse: legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco); illegal drugs (cocaine, marijuana and heroine); and misuse of prescription drugs.

Focal Point of the Drug Demand Reduction Programme, Ms. Sheranne Isaacs, said that there is substantial evidence that substance abuse has penetrated all strata of the Guyanese society, hence the Ministry’s Drug Demand Reduction Programme has heightened efforts in the fight against substance abuse here.

She outlined that the Ministry is seeking to address the issue of substance use and dependency by targeting various groups through national awareness, education and behaviour change communication programmes, including the Schools Anti-Drug Edutainment Programme, the Workplace Sensitisation Programme and other public education programmes via the media.

“The ultimate goal of these interventions is to ensure a drug free society,” Isaacs emphasised.


Members of the Edutainment cast during a dramatic presentation on drug abuse.



She said that the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol may affect an individual’s ability to do his job effectively and result in increased short term sickness and absenteeism; a deterioration of relationship with colleagues, customers or management; and low productivity and poor quality of work.

“It is important that all businesses are aware of the potential impact of alcohol and drugs…and have in place an effective and robust workplace policy that clearly outlines the company’s role and procedures in dealing with substance misuse,” Isaacs noted.Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, in his feature address, noted that, every two minutes in the Americas someone dies because of alcohol.

“That cannot be a trivial problem…we know what we are dealing with when we talk about substance abuse,” he noted.

“We drink (alcohol) too much,” he insisted.

He observed that in the world the average consumption of alcohol is 4.7 litres per capita, while it is over eight litres in the Americas.

“In Guyana our per capita consumption is just over six litres,” he pointed out.

The minister said that there is no region in the world where there is more alcohol related deaths than in the Americas.

“More than 350,000 people will die this year because of alcohol related accidents, violence and diseases to which alcohol is a risk factor,” he noted.

“Alcohol is the leading cause of road accidents…also one of the leading causes of domestic violence,” Ramsammy emphasised.

“I appeal to all employers to work with us diligently…and that is one way we will get into people’s spaces,” he noted.

The minister encouraged the public to tune into ‘Changing the Course’ programme and ‘Tales from the Crack’, and he also appealed to parents and teachers to persuade children to watch the programme.

“We will use every communication means to get to people…we want to guarantee everybody that these efforts are not transient, short-lived efforts,” he assured.

He noted that changing the course for drug users is possible and support programmes are necessary.

Hence, the ministry is starting its own support programme next month by conducting a training programme for a mentoring group to deal with substance dependency and expand the capacity, he revealed.

Ramsammy said, too, that the religious leaders need to play a role in this initiative.

He noted that the laws need to be made more rigid since too many persons drink and drive.

Additionally, he noted that people smoke too much and do not exercise enough.

He pointed out that the Ministry is committed to the million miles walk and he is encouraging Guyanese to eat more vegetables and fruits.

Ramsammy should be a sixth grade teacher.. What he is telling Guyanese is what I leant in standard six..

We have no alternative. The government does not foster extra curricular activities in schools. We need to strengthen intramural athletics. When people learn to respect their bodies because the see its worth as a highly efficient machine to accomplish ends they will avoid the things that destroy it.

In my last visit to Guyana I was astonished at the amount of alcoholics, early in the morning folks are at the rum shops.
Minister Ramsamy should sit down with his collegues in the cabinet and try to promote sports and other activities so that the young people do not end up becoming drunks.

Chief I agree with you. Alcohol abuse is a serious problem. It's sale should be banned on Sundays. Many workers do not show up for work on Mondays.

quote:

Originally posted by Chief:
In my last visit to Guyana I was astonished at the amount of alcoholics, early in the morning folks are at the rum shops.
Minister Ramsamy should sit down with his collegues in the cabinet and try to promote sports and other activities so that the young people do not end up becoming drunks.

She outlined that the Ministry is seeking to address the issue of substance use and dependency by targeting various groups through national awareness, education and behaviour change communication programmes, including the Schools Anti-Drug Edutainment Programme, the Workplace Sensitisation Programme and other public education programmes via the media.

quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBEARD:
Chief I agree with you. Alcohol abuse is a serious problem. It's sale should be banned on Sundays. Many workers do not show up for work on Mondays.

Rum shops are closed on Sundays.. The sales are illegal. It's a matter for the police..
I hate when you guys talk out of turn..

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by Chief:
In my last visit to Guyana I was astonished at the amount of alcoholics, early in the morning folks are at the rum shops.
Minister Ramsamy should sit down with his collegues in the cabinet and try to promote sports and other activities so that the young people do not end up becoming drunks.

She outlined that the Ministry is seeking to address the issue of substance use and dependency by targeting various groups through national awareness, education and behaviour change communication programmes, including the Schools Anti-Drug Edutainment Programme, the Workplace Sensitisation Programme and other public education programmes via the media.

Rama you shouldn't even comment on this thread, you are always drunk, people just have to read the garbage you post and to have your head so far up Jagdeo's behind all the time, you have to be drunk!

quote:

Originally posted by Lion King:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by Chief:
In my last visit to Guyana I was astonished at the amount of alcoholics, early in the morning folks are at the rum shops.
Minister Ramsamy should sit down with his collegues in the cabinet and try to promote sports and other activities so that the young people do not end up becoming drunks.

She outlined that the Ministry is seeking to address the issue of substance use and dependency by targeting various groups through national awareness, education and behaviour change communication programmes, including the Schools Anti-Drug Edutainment Programme, the Workplace Sensitisation Programme and other public education programmes via the media.

Rama you shouldn't even comment on this thread, you are always drunk, people just have to read the garbage you post and to have your head so far up Jagdeo's behind all the time, you have to be drunk!

They should ban you from posting here. just look at the garbage you just posted..

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by Lion King:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by Chief:
In my last visit to Guyana I was astonished at the amount of alcoholics, early in the morning folks are at the rum shops.
Minister Ramsamy should sit down with his collegues in the cabinet and try to promote sports and other activities so that the young people do not end up becoming drunks.

She outlined that the Ministry is seeking to address the issue of substance use and dependency by targeting various groups through national awareness, education and behaviour change communication programmes, including the Schools Anti-Drug Edutainment Programme, the Workplace Sensitisation Programme and other public education programmes via the media.

Rama you shouldn't even comment on this thread, you are always drunk, people just have to read the garbage you post and to have your head so far up Jagdeo's behind all the time, you have to be drunk!

They should ban you from posting here. just look at the garbage you just posted..

Because I am raising a red flag to why you post so much filth? Tell Jagdeo, maybe he can have me banned!

Blackbeard, You claim that Jagan and now Jagdeo are Communists but your suggestion is worst than that of a Communist. Ban Liquor on Sundays, are you out of your freeking mind????

quote:

Originally posted by Nehru:
Blackbeard, You claim that Jagan and now Jagdeo are Communists but your suggestion is worst than that of a Communist. Ban Liquor on Sundays, are you out of your freeking mind????

Another GNI alcoholic!

quote:

Ban Liquor on Sundays, are you out of your freeking mind????

drunks of de world UNITE!

There is recreational drinking and abusive drinking. Which one are you guys talking about?

In America, the new advice by alcohol beverage producers is : DRINK RESPONSIBLY! I think the advice not only warns drinkers but absolves producers of a sense of guilt should drinkers cause death or destruction. It is said that for every bottle or can of beer consumed, the body takes one hour to get rid of the effect of intoxication, so if a person drinks three bottles or cans in one hour (that's abusing the drinks), they risk getting high or drunk quickly and that's a problem.

But drinking was always part of Guyana's culture. Friday afternoons and all day Saturday were set aside for this purpose. People planned for such events. There was any number of topics - Cricket. Politics. Women. The workplace - to discuss and the more consumed is the more bizzare the discussion went. In fact, too much liquor makes even the most timid and silent person become talkative and loud mouthed!

I don't think banning liquor is going to solve anything as peeople will always find a way to get stuff. Like they are doing in the face of banned illicit drugs. People just have to take personal reposnibility for their decisions! For just as there is too much drinking, there is too much everything else that is not good. Ask Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP!

quote:

Originally posted by Communicator:
There is recreational drinking and abusive drinking. Which one are you guys talking about?

In America, the new advice by alcohol beverage producers is : DRINK RESPONSIBLY! I think the advice not only warns drinkers but absolves producers of a sense of guilt should drinkers cause death or destruction. It is said that for every bottle or can of beer consumed, the body takes one hour to get rid of the effect of intoxication, so if a person drinks three bottles or cans in one hour (that's abusing the drinks), they risk getting high or drunk quickly and that's a problem.

But drinking was always part of Guyana's culture. Friday afternoons and all day Saturday were set aside for this purpose. People planned for such events. There was any number of topics - Cricket. Politics. Women. The workplace - to discuss and the more consumed is the more bizzare the discussion went. In fact, too much liquor makes even the most timid and silent person become talkative and loud mouthed!

I don't think banning liquor is going to solve anything as peeople will always find a way to get stuff. Like they are doing in the face of banned illicit drugs. People just have to take personal reposnibility for their decisions! For just as there is too much drinking, there is too much everything else that is not good. Ask Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP!

Yuh mad or what boy, you can't ask Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP, they will blame it on the PNC!

Freak, If you cant hold your Liquor dont drink on Sunday. LK, I know you think the sweetest Rum is FREE Rum.

old HABITS dont die easily

quote:

Originally posted by Nehru:
Freak, If you cant hold your Liquor dont drink on Sunday. LK, I know you think the sweetest Rum is FREE Rum.

I don't mess with any type of alcohol!

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
We have no alternative. The government does not foster extra curricular activities in schools. We need to strengthen intramural athletics. When people learn to respect their bodies because the see its worth as a highly efficient machine to accomplish ends they will avoid the things that destroy it.

That's a bit of a stupid arguement. This was going on since I was a boy with after school and summer-camp and other stuff in place. Furthermore, this is happening well outside the school age groups.

They need to do a fact-base analysis as to why this is happening. Part of it is surely educaton, information and the situation of the country. Though well educated people also drink, one can conclude that it's more prevalant among the uneducated groups. Furthermore, It seems clear that this problem in more acute among Indians than Afros, though there are similar problems with Afros.

This is a complex problem which needs to be addressed on many fronts and will take time to correct. I do believe a lack of basic values, ambition and some degree of hopelessness plays into this problem. The father do it, and the sons learn and continue.

quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBEARD:
Chief I agree with you. Alcohol abuse is a serious problem. It's sale should be banned on Sundays. Many workers do not show up for work on Mondays.

This is a band-aid solution, not a real solution. Simple availability is not the core reason, they will just do booth-leg and hang out under bottom-house and get drunk. It needs tons of education coupled with hope.

anybody gat the recipe and directions for making bush rum?
I am curious.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:
anybody gat the recipe and directions for making bush rum?
I am curious.

Ask Nehru.

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBEARD:
Chief I agree with you. Alcohol abuse is a serious problem. It's sale should be banned on Sundays. Many workers do not show up for work on Mondays.

Rum shops are closed on Sundays.. The sales are illegal. It's a matter for the police..
I hate when you guys talk out of turn..

You mean those illegal joints that pocket the countryside do indeed observe the Sabbath? How religious of them!

quote:

Originally posted by baseman:

quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBEARD:
Chief I agree with you. Alcohol abuse is a serious problem. It's sale should be banned on Sundays. Many workers do not show up for work on Mondays.

This is a band-aid solution, not a real solution. Simple availability is not the core reason, they will just do booth-leg and hang out under bottom-house and get drunk. It needs tons of education coupled with hope.

And it not should be sold on credit or to minors.

I was shocked to see people start drinking so early in the mornings and it's like every day.