More research needed on drug use amongst young males

THE issue of drug use amongst young males between the ages of 13 to 15 years old is a matter for concern and a recommendation has been made that perhaps a specialised programme which caters to young males or some form of intervention is needed to address this situation.

Dr. Jonathan Yearwood, Research and Information Officer at the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA), called attention to this matter as he delivered a summary of the key findings from the 2017 and 2018 Barbados Drug Information Network (BARDIN) Reports, during a virtual meeting hosted by the NCSA yesterday. BARDIN is the formal mechanism through which Barbados collects and disseminates drug-related information on activities related to prevention, education, treatment and rehabilitation and law enforcement, and a number of local agencies contribute the data on both the demand reduction and supply reduction side.

“The majority of students testing positive for marijuana use at the Edna Nicholls Centre, continue to be males between 13 to 15 years of age. We need to look at that a little bit closer and do further exploration on that particular age group and the issues relating to drug use by the 13- to 15-year-olds and the broader problems experienced by 13- to 15-year-olds in Barbados, (to see) whether these problems are linked closely to drug use or whether they are other social problems that may trigger drug use and possible delinquent behaviour amongst these (young people),” Dr. Yearwood remarked.

Giving further details on the BARDIN reports, Yearwood meanwhile noted that marijuana, alcohol and crack cocaine continue to be the main drugs for which persons seek treatment. Marijuana use is more problematic among those under the age of 40, he said, whilst the use of alcohol and crack cocaine are having a greater impact on older persons.

“We are also seeing what we refer to as polydrug use, which is the use of more than one substance. A few years ago, we were only talking about, to use the Bajan parlance ‘crack heads’, which referred to person using crack cocaine or we referred to persons using marijuana solely. Now we are seeing this combination of drugs that are being used,” the research officer noted.

He added, “Males continue to outnumber females in the treatment centres and that is a phenomenon. And this is something that we need to explore a little bit further, as to why it is primarily among males.”

Yearwood also revealed that most persons charged with and incarcerated for drug offences were male and most persons charged with drug offences were in the 20 to 49 age group. Marijuana continues to be the dominant drug engaging the attention of the Royal Barbados Police Force, in terms of seizures and arrests; and possession of cannabis remains the single most common cannabis-related offence recorded by the Force. It was also noted that drug possession was the most common offence for which persons were incarcerated.

A number of recommendations have meanwhile been forwarded to address the concerns raised. (RSM)