DRUGS (Controlled Drugs): WHAT EVERY TEACHER SHOULD KNOW

1. DRUGS (Controlled Drugs): WHAT EVERY TEACHER SHOULD KNOW

2. Objectives: • To identify the nature and extent of the drug situation in Grenada, with reference to students; • To identify the prevalence of drug use among students; • To identify strategies which teachers can use to prevent or reduce the use of drug among students.

3. There are at least seventeen pieces of • legislation in Grenada which deal with • various aspects of ‘drugs’. • The principal legislation for this presentation is the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act, 1992.

4. Definition of Terms: Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act, 1992

5. Controlled Drug: • any narcotic drug for the time being listed in Part I of the First Schedule; • any psychotropic substance for the time being listed in Part II of the First Schedule; • any listed substance for the time being listed in Part III of the First Schedule.

6. School premises: any nursery school, primary or secondary school, technical institution, training centre, teachers’ college, community college, university or any other educational institution for children or young persons and includes buildings, playing fields or other premises established or maintained by such institutions for the benefit of its pupils or students whether or not such buildings, playing fields or other premises are within the curtilage of the institution.

7. Child: a person under the age of fourteen years. • Young Person: a person who is fourteen years of age or upwards and under the age of eighteen years

8. Overview: Drug Situation in Grenada

9. Grenada Is At Risk To Drugs, Crime & Violence • High poverty level • High rate of unemployment • Geographic location • No big industry Source: Hegamin-Younger, Dr, Cecilia; Examination Of Drug Related Data, Economic Factors And Potential Causes In Changes, 2009

10. Males are more at risk of being poor than females; 39.5 % of all males are deemed poor, compared to 36.2 % of all females. Unemployment rate among males is 31.8 %, compared to 17.9 % among females. Source: Grenada Poverty Assessment Survey, 2007/2008

11. GAMBLING: CARDS & MONEY Survival Strategies Identified ‘Well maybe a little gambling’ Source: Grenada Poverty Assessment Survey, 2007/2008

12. ‘Having sex for money’ ‘Selling drugs, fastest way to make money’ Source: Grenada Poverty Assessment Survey, 2007/2008

13. Linkages Between Drugs & Crime LOCAL AND REGIONAL DRUG TRADE INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRADE ARMS TRAFFICKING, MONEY LAUNDERING, TERRORISM, PROSTITUTION, OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

14. Grenada Drug Information Network (GRENDIN) Statistical Report of Indicators 1988 to 2010

15. Arrests • 8,786 persons were arrested and • charged for drug-related offences. • (Males: 8,141; Females: 645) • 20 persons (males) were arrested and charged for possession of drugs within a radius of 100 yards of schools. 

16. 1,266 persons twenty years and • under were arrested and charged. • (Males: 1,121; Females: 145) • 14 per cent of all persons arrested and charged for drug-related offences in the State of Grenada, are 20 years and under.

17. Imprisonment • 1,747 persons were imprisoned for drug-related offences. • (Males: 1,667; Females: 80)

18. Type And Quantity Of Drugs Seized • Cannabis plants: 334,938 un • Marijuana cigarettes: 34,003 un • Marijuana: 10,861 kg • Cocaine: 1, 095.63 kg • Crack: 15.76 kg • Ecstasy: 3, 338 un • Methamphetamines: 89 un

19. 528 students (505 males; 23 females) were arrested and charged for various offences between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2010. • A student under age seven (7) years cannot be arrested and charged.

24. Grenada Secondary School Drug Prevalence Survey • (2005 )

25. Key Findings • Drug use is major problem affecting youth, including their health. • Alcohol, tobacco and marijuana are main drugs used. • Illegal drugs are easy to get.

26. CIGARETTES: • Average age for first use: 11 years. • Prevalence of cigarette use increased with age.

27. ALCOHOL: • Average age of first drink is 11 years. • Higher the form, more students drink alcohol.

28. Students using alcohol have more behavioral and discipline problems and repeat forms. • Students whose friends drink excessively, tend to increase their own prevalence of alcohol use.

29. MARIJUANA: • Average age of first use of marijuana is 13. • Marijuana use increased with age and form.

30. Possible Factors • for • Drug Use Among • Students

31. Personal, Biological Factors • Genetic predisposition • Developmental lags • Learning disabilities • Antisocial behaviour in childhood and adolescence

32. High-sensation-seeking behaviour • Low self-esteem • Favourable attitudes toward drug use, violence

33. Interpersonal Factors: Family, Peers • Family circumstances • Family attitudes to drugs and violence • Poor bonding to family, poor communication among family members

34. Early and persistent problem behaviors • Academic failure • Association with drug-using and violent peers • Alienation, rebelliousness • Lack of social and personal competence

35. Social, Environmental & Cultural Factors • Cultural trends • Societal disintegration • Availability of drugs • Economic deprivation

36. Neighborhood disorganization • Community attitudes, behaviour • High rates of crime and substance use • Stress from social, economic and other situations

37. Signs & Symptoms of Drug Use

38. Teachers tend to notice both positive and negatives changes in various areas f their students lives. • They are therefore in an excellent position to provide guidance and referral services to students who may need assistance to correct negative behaviours.

39. Signs and symptoms of negative forms of behaviours could be non-specific and caused by a number of factors. • If your students show a number of these behaviors (signs/symptoms) it is possible that they may be using drugs. Your early intervention is required.

40. These signs and symptoms could include: • Inability to sleep or sleeping most of the time • Red and watery eyes • Profuse sweating

41. Reduced attention span and forgetfulness • Tremors or shaking • Low motivation and achievement • Paranoia

42. Secretive behavior • Stealing money, lying • Unable to account for their time, absence • Changes in behaviour, friends • Aggression

43. Unexplained sums of money, cell phones, clothes, bling-bling

44. Possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia

45. Drug Paraphernalia MARIJUANA & WRAPPER CRACK PIPES

46. National Schools’ Policy On Drugs www.gov.gd/ncodc.html

47. The National Schools’ Policy was approved by Cabinet in February 2002.

48. Principal goals: • To promote a healthy lifestyle among students, free of drug use. • To provide a mechanism for the appropriate identification of alcohol, tobacco and drug-related problems, and early intervention among students.

49. To provide firm, consistent, and equitable disciplinary action regarding tobacco, alcohol-related or drug-related infractions, and • To provide support services to students with an identified tobacco, alcohol or substance abuse concern or problem.

50. Guidelines: Seizure of Drugs Distinguish between seizure and confiscation