Don’t Drink & Drive This Holiday Season
As the Holiday Season is upon us, everyone looks forward to Christmas parties, workplace socials, and brining in the New Year with a “few drinks.” What they don’t foresee, however, are the consequences they face when they leave those parties inebriated and get behind the wheel of a car. Unfortunately, drink driving is more frequent during the holiday season. People get together to eat, drink and enjoy the holiday season, yet forget to monitor their alcohol intake or appoint a designated driver. [blockquote]”Driving under the influence is an easily preventable phenomenon,” [blockquote-footer] says Joan West-Dacres, Executive Director of the National Drug Council. [/blockquote-footer] “When you go to a social and have to drive yourself home, take responsibility—limit how much you drink, or find someone to give you a ride. It’s really as simple as that.”[/blockquote] Many people think that driving drunk or even just “buzzed” is harmless. However, it is this same sort of thinking that has led to: Alcohol-related traffic accidents Deaths caused by drunk drivers Arrest for DUI’s There are several laws aimed at combating the DUI epidemic; aggressively enforced blood alcohol concentration limits, driver’s license suspensions, sobriety checkpoints and community-based approaches have all proven effective in stemming the DUI problem—but not eradicating it. In addition to the activity by the Traffic Department and Cayman Islands Road Safety Advisory Council (CIRSAC) we want to remind people of the danger and consequences of drunk driving. Many persons will drink and drive this holiday season – risking a crash, being stopped by the police or risking someone’s life. Most of these admit it’s because they don’t want to pay for taxis or they feel it’s safe to drive or that they have done it before and made it home safely. Drunk driving guidelines insist even the smallest amount of alcohol can impair a driver’s performance behind the wheel. Despite consistent campaigns to reduce the numbers of those who drink and drive, there are clearly large numbers of risk-takers who are prepared to put other drivers’ and pedestrians’ lives in danger. Even more worrying, are the avoidance myths that drivers believe will sober them up. Many think if they eat something before they get behind the wheel they will be safe and sober up. Many rely on a cold shower to sober up Many rely on strong black coffee Many rely on drinking plenty of water This Christmas we are reminding people that a 12 oz bottle of beer, a small glass of wine or 1oz of spirits is equal to one standard drink, and one standard drink takes on average one hour to leave your system. There are lots of myths out there about sobering strategies. The only truthful sobering strategy is “time”. So please remember, accidents caused by drinking and driving are avoidable. Moreover, drinking and driving carries severe legal penalties. Therefore, seriously consider appointing a designated driver or finding an alternative mode of transportation before heading out for a holiday drink. For more information on The Facts of Drinking and Driving contact the National Drug Council at 949-9000. Visit our website at www.ndc.ky for information about the National Drug Council.
“Conyers’ Community” Employee of the Quarter partner with the NDC
The National Drug Council was the gracious recipient of a donation from Conyers Dill & Pearman. This is the second donation linked to a new incentive scheme under “Conyers’ Community”. The nominated Employee of the Quarter, as well as personal benefits, chooses which local charities and/or appropriate requests for funding from the community will receive a company donation of CI$2,500, this sum of money can be broken up into small donations if requested. Jane Williams joined Conyers Dill & Pearman in July 2006 as Executive Legal Secretary to the Head of their Funds Department and was nominated Employee of the Quarter due to her exemplary attendance having taken no sick days since her start date together with her outstanding work ethic. Jane choose the National Drug Council as the sole recipient of this quarter’s donation. [blockquote][blockquote-footer]Ms. Williams stated: [/blockquote-footer] “I think it is very important, particularly for teenagers and young people, to be informed and educated about the potential risks of drug abuse, and I am delighted to have this opportunity to help the National Drug Council in their efforts to address the problems of drug use and substance abuse in the Cayman Islands.” [/blockquote] [blockquote]“As the NDC continues to make a difference through our collaborative approach, research initiatives and public awareness it is with the help of donations from supporters such as Conyers Dill & Pearman, that we will achieve our mission and our goals,” [blockquote-footer] says Executive Director Joan west-Dacres.[/blockquote-footer] [/blockquote] The National Drug Council has earmarked the funds received to fund a research initiative in the adult population of Cayman Islands. This research initiative will assist the NDC in determining the extent of substance use, misuse and abuse in our communities. The NDC again wishes to thank Conyers Dill & Pearman for their generous support of our efforts as we look forward to building a greater alliance with the private/corporate sector and as they continue their commitment to the community as a whole.
Observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
The National Drug Council is pleased to join with the United Nations and countries around the world to mark today as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. We at the NDC welcome this day as yet another opportunity to reinforce the message that illegal drugs have no place in our community and it is especially fitting that this message underlines the slogan for today’s observance: “Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs.” The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has launched this slogan back in 2007, which is to be used for three years, to raise awareness on different aspects of drug control and we at the NDC will be incorporating it into our own public awareness campaign. Not only do we continue to underscore the anti-drug message, but our efforts are also directed at pointing out healthy and fulfilling alternatives to drugs. In these efforts, we are particularly concerned that our young people make personal choices that leave no room to be tempted with illegal drugs. The NDC has information and resources that can help parents, teachers, and young and old alike learn more about drugs and how to stay away from them. I urge everyone to avail themselves of these resources. As we join the world community in the international observance of this day, I ask that we all continue to support the efforts that are aimed at drug abuse prevention and control in the Cayman Islands. For more information please call the NDC at Tel. 949-9000, Fax. 949-6264 or email: info@ndc.ky
Sizzling Summer Series
The Youth services Unit is pleased to join with the National Drug Council and the National Youth Commission for the SIZZLING SUMMER SERIES. This joint initiative combines the Youth Services “Carpentry, Mechanic and Culinary Arts” vocational programme, the National Drug Council’s “Fearless Factor Camp” and the National Youth Commission’s “Career Shop.” The components of the Sizzling Summer Series provide; education, vocational and practical skills for the youth of Cayman. This series will seek to address some of the risk factors of Cayman’s youth as identified through local data collected by the NDC. It will also allow for the application of some of the identified protective factors for the successful development of our youth. Skills training in carpentry and mechanic work, educational workshops on impact of drug use, life skills training and application and preparation for choosing a career path will be explored in this series of workshops. [blockquote]“We are pleased”, [blockquote-footer] reports Ms. Katherine Whittaker, Head of the Youth Services Unit, [/blockquote-footer] “that NDC and the National Youth Commission have chosen the Youth Services Unit to continue these programmes. These are sound established programmes that seek to keep our youth meaningful engaged during the summer. Among other objectives of the programmes is the opportunity for our youth to recreate in a safe environment and work on important aspects of their lives such as their career path, further education or training. This series of camps are meant to alleviate some of the anxiety felt by some youth about choosing subjects for further study in Year 10 and what they will do after high school as well as the opportunity to put into practice or clarify important life skills taught during the school year.” [/blockquote] [blockquote]“I am pleased that the National Drug Council has been able to work with the Youth services Unit in the transfer of “Fearless Factor Camp.” This summer programme which was successfully operated by the NDC for the past 3 years with the support of local service clubs and businesses is a much needed programme. The NDC does pilot programmes within the Cayman Islands where there are identified gaps in services. It is then the goal of the NDC to transfer these programmes to the most appropriate agency with the most skilled and experienced staff” [blockquote-footer] says Joan West-Dacres the Executive Director for the National Drug Council.[/blockquote-footer] [/blockquote] The Sizzling Summer Series will take place July 8th to July 25th 2008 for youth ages 12 to 17 years. The Series will be held at the George Town Primary School, and George Hicks High School Campus. The National Drug Council, the National Youth Commission and the Youth Services Unit are not affiliated with any other summer camps or programmes this year. For more information please call the YSU at Tel. 943-1127, Fax. 943-1128.
Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS)
The National Drug Council (NDC) in an effort to address the continuing community concerns of; Driving Under the Influence (DUI’s), increased levels of intoxication, underage drinking and increased incidents of violence under the influence, have recently proposed that bartenders and managers of liquor licensed establishments be “TIPS” (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) trained, certified and registered by the National drug Council. The goal of the TIPS Program is to establish acceptable standards of practice for serving and selling alcohol beverages. With the growing concerns of the social impacts of drug and alcohol abuse in our community, the NDC is gearing up to train all bartenders throughout the Cayman Islands. This training will provide for all those persons who are working in this service industry, to have a greater level of social responsibility. The “Next Level” has shown its willingness and interest in this initiative by leading the industry in participating in this training with the NDC. [blockquote][blockquote-footer]Executive Director of the NDC Joan West-Dacres states [/blockquote-footer] “I am extremely pleased that the Next Level is recognizing the importance of such a process and their participation is a sign that businesses in this area are socially aware and accepting their role in our community as partners. I look forward to the continued support from establishments in the Cayman Islands.”[/blockquote] The Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) has also expressed its support of the “TIPS” program and is encouraging all licensees and night club/ restaurant/ bar personnel to be licensed. [blockquote][blockquote-footer]Mrs. West-Dacres states [/blockquote-footer] “I am grateful and enthused that the LLB is on-board with this initiative and acknowledges the significance of such a proposal.”[/blockquote] The training will be offered in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac with Spanish training also being provided. For more information and costs on TIPS training, please call the NDC at Tel. 949-9000, Fax. 949-6264 or e-mail: info@ndc.ky
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month and it is time again for its annual observance. The aim is to inform the public about alcoholism by generating awareness of the dangers associated with its use and abuse. The National Drug Council’s drug use survey, which has been conducted in schools since 1998, revealed that Alcohol is the drug most frequently used by middle and high school students (approximately 46%), and its use is increasing. The average age of first use of alcohol for youth in the Cayman Islands is 11 years old. The prevalence of heavy drinking episodes among our youth has increased significantly from 12.6% in 2002 to 15.2% in 2006. The NDC’s effort this month includes the distribution of posters that highlights the problem of underage drinking. We have also partnered with Cayman Against Substance Abuse (CASA) to offer a special brochure that serves as a guide for parents discussing these issues. In addition, we will issue a youth-focused brochure titled “The Truth About Alcohol”. The NDC will be expanding its public education seminars to promote this issue and will be conducting a number of drug education talks aimed towards alcohol usage. The board of the National Drug Council has also taken action toward alcohol awareness. In an effort to amend the current Liquor License Law, the NDC’s Board of Directors in conjunction with the Liquor Licensing Board is engaged in a process towards amending the current Liquor Licensing Law to include a section on the responsible disposal of alcohol. It is hoped that this will bring forth the implementation of a specified training programme by which vendors can become qualified for the purpose of compliance with the legislation. Moreover, there will be a number of alcohol related ad’s to be aired on local TV stations during the month of April. It is our hope that parents, schools, businesses and faith-based organisations incorporate Alcohol Awareness Month information, messages, and themes into youth and adult group discussions. We encourage everyone to unite with the NDC and partner agencies to bring awareness to our youth about underage alcohol use. Contact the National Drug Council at 949-9000 or write to us at info.ndc.ky for resources and ways to commemorate Alcohol Awareness Month.
10th Anniversary of The National Drug Council
The National Drug Council (NDC) will commemorate 10 years of operation on Thursday, 31 January with a reception at Government House. [blockquote] “None of the work of the NDC over the past 10 years could have been carried out without support received from volunteers, sponsors and various agencies and the anniversary reception is therefore both a commemoration and a way of showing our appreciation,” [blockquote-footer] said NDC Executive Director Joan West-Dacres. [/blockquote-footer] “We thank His Excellency the Governor for agreeing to host this event.”[/blockquote] Set up under the National Drug Council Law 1997, the NDC replaced the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) which was established in 1988, to assess the local drug abuse situation and make recommendations for action. The NDC’s primary function is to regulate and coordinate local anti-drug efforts, including the Cayman Islands National Strategic Plan for Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation. Its focus is on improving interaction between all Government and non-governmental agencies dealing with the issue of substance abuse. These include efforts aimed at rehabilitation, drug supply control, law reform, public education, training, and data collection. Financed through grants from Government, the NDC is also eligible as a non-profit organisation to receive gifts, grants, and endowments. Over the past 10 years the National Drug Council has spearheaded a number of initiatives with the continued support of its stakeholder and partner agencies; these include: Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey Workplace Drug Survey Contribution to the Tobacco Legislation Review of legislation Prevention campaigns Presentations to schools, parents and community groups, Pilot programmes Drug Awareness Month Fearless Factor Camp Education Seminars at the prisons The National Drug Council is seen as the keystone in the successful implementation of the National Strategic Plan. This is accomplished through representation, of the key stakeholder agencies for Drug Abuse Prevention involved with substance abuse issues, on its Board of Directors. The NDC also keeps the plan implementation under review, submitting an Annual Report with audited financial statements to the Minister responsible, who in turn tables the report in the Legislative Assembly. In this way the Legislative Assembly and general public are kept aware of the progress made in carrying out its functions under the National Drug Council Law. The NDC consists of a Board of Directors, and an office support team, and Mrs. West-Dacres says she looks forward to the continued support and efforts of all persons who have contributed to their success and to building partnerships, as the NDC continues to strengthen its functions. For more information on the National Drug Council, contact the NDC at Tel. 949-9000, Fax. 949-6264 or e-mail: info@ndc.ky