The Drugs and Life Skills Awareness Programme is a school based programme which is facilitated by NCSA Drug Education Officers and a team of NCSA volunteers. The programme was conceptualized based on the findings from the Secondary School Survey (2013) which was conducted by the National Council of Substance Abuse (NCSA) to investigate the prevalence and incidence of substance abuse among secondary school students.
The programme targets 13-15-year-old students in secondary schools and the pilot was launched in three secondary schools in 2016.
The Drugs and Life Skills Awareness Programme seeks to provide the target audience with information on the physiological, psychological and social consequences of using alcohol and other drugs especially during the adolescent phase of their development. In addition to the theoretical component, the programme seeks to provide students with the skills that young people need to help them to understand themselves and their environment and to develop the confidence to make informed decisions.
The programme has been launched in the following secondary schools and over two hundred (200) students have participated in the programme to date.
- Parkinson Secondary
- Darryl Jordan
- The Ellerslie School
- Lester Vaughan
- Alma Parris
- Princess Margaret
The Drugs and Life Skills Awareness Programme is comprised of the following four modules:
Module 1 – Definition of Drugs
Goal
To provide students with clear definitions of drugs and drug abuse.
Course Description/Rationale
This module is designed to provide secondary school students with clear definitions for drugs and drug use. It is also intended to provide them with a working definition of terms such as substance abuse and psychoactive drugs.
Learning Outcomes
• Know definitions of the terms drugs, drug use, substance abuse and psychoactive drugs.
• Understand what are illegal and legal drugs
• Comprehend the differences between drug dependency and drug addiction.
Content
Definition of terms
• Drugs
• Legal drugs
• Illegal drugs
• Prescription and non-prescription drugs
• Mind-altering drugs
• Drugs misuse
• Substance abuse
• Addiction
• Legalization
• Decriminalization
• Intervention
Module 2 – Harmful Effects of Drugs
Goal
Demonstrate awareness of the dangers associated with the use of legal and illegal drugs.
Course Description/Rationale
This module is designed to provide students with the knowledge of harms related to legal and illegal drugs.
Learning Outcomes
• Systems of the body
• Know the harmful effects of drug abuse – alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, inhalants.
• Be cognizant of the risk factors associated with drug abuse.
• Know the categories of mind altering drugs.
• Understand the dangers associated with prescription and non-prescription drugs.
Content
• Addiction
- Stages
- Characteristics
• Harmful effects of drugs
• Misuse of prescription and non-prescription drugs
• Reasons for drug abuse
- Risk factors associated with drug abuse
• Classification of mind-altering drugs
- Narcotics
- Inhalants
- Stimulants
- Depressants
- Cannabis
- Hallucinogens
Module 3 – The Social and Economic Impact of Drug Abuse
Goal
To equip students with knowledge of the social and economic impact of drug abuse.
Course Description/Rationale
This module shows the social and economic impact of drug use on the Barbadian society. A particular focus is on the effect of substance abuse on the individual, the family and the community. Overall, the module provides the basis for the introduction of broad social policy on substance abuse.
Learning Outcomes
• Identify the most commonly abused drug in Barbados.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship between drug abuse and antisocial behavior.
• Understand the relationship between drug abuse and academic performance.
• Analyse the factors that promote drug abuse.
• Recognize the implications of legalization and decriminalization of marijuana use.
• Know the relationship between drug abuse and at-risk behavior.
• Be cognizant of the social and economic impact of alcohol abuse and the Barbadian society.
• Recognize the role of prevention and treatment service providers.
Content
• Social impact
- Cultural
- Peer pressure
- Anti-social behavior
- Delinquency/Crime
- Media
• Economic Impact
- Family (individual/household)
- Community/Society
- Productivity
- Employment
• Drug Use and Academic Performance
• Legalization and decriminalization of marijuana
• Service Providers
- National Council on Substance Abuse
• Treatment
- CASA
- Verdun House
- Psychiatric Hospital
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Module 4 - Life Skills Development and Drug Use
Goal
To equip students with life skills necessary to make positive choices.
Course Description/Rationale
This module provides students with the skills to manage their anger and to make positive choices.
Learning Outcomes
• Apply knowledge of life skills to make positive choices.
• Apply strategies to manage anger.
• Demonstrate the ability to resolve conflict.
Content
Life Skills Approaches
- Self Esteem
- Decision Making Skills
- Anger Management
- Conflict Resolution
How to Participate in the Drugs and Life Skills Awareness Programme
The programme is co-ordinated through the Guidance Counsellor at participating secondary schools across the island. Should you be interested in having this programme conducted at your institution please contact us 535-6272 or via email at ncsa.info@barbados.gov.bb.