NCSA seeking more funding

The National Council On Substance Abuse (NCSA) is seeking ways to bridge the gap that remains, as it relates to the funding it receives from Government and what is actually required to run a number of its programmes.

Hadford Howell, Chairman of the National Council On Substance Abuse (NCSA) recently pointed out the above.

“The NCSA is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The agency’s excellent work across Barbados has therefore been going on over this period. But it remains a fact that unless you, a family member, or someone you know, have directly benefitted from NCSA’s services, members of the public and officials alike may be unaware of what the NCSA has done, and is continuing to do, parish by parish, in our schools, communities and in workplaces. NCSA has sought to become more visible in the public’s eye across all forms of media – newspapers, television, radio, and on all social media platforms, in an effort to promote the work done at NCSA,” Howell remarked.

“The current tight financial situation has forced the NCSA to find ways to bridge the growing gap in our finances between what we receive from Government, and require to run our programmes,” he stressed.

“As of last year, even pre-COVID-19, the NCSA started to ramp up our fundraising efforts. The NCSA must succeed at this, so we urgently require the assistance of willing financiers. Contributions, large or small are welcome, from international agencies and/or the local private sector. Many of the latter will be hearing from the NCSA shortly. We thank those in advance who will respond and support our call,” the Chairman further commented.

Howell stressed that the NCSA’s mandate remains a serious one and as such, it is willing to embrace any financiers who can assist with its programming.

“Our Board of Directors has prioritised that up-to-date, targeted research on substance abuse be regularly undertaken. Fundraising runs our research effort a very close second. We are actively seeking to interact with all of stakeholders and potential funders of NCSA’s work that include, but is not limited to one,  providing general drug education and prevention tips, explaining how to identify the early signs and symptoms of substance abuse or misuse in a workplace; two,  explaining what substance use or misuse in a workplace might mean for an individual psychologically and / or cost an organisation financially if not nipped in the bud; three, advise on appropriate and corrective substance abuse intervention strategies; and four, advise on and / or provide the available or required social support services, e.g. counselling,” he noted.

He added, “These services are available from NCSA officers either in person, or on-line, in exchange for a set fee. Stakeholders and / or financial supporters of NCSA alike can deepen their working relationship with the NCSA, assist their own entities and assist NCSA’s ongoing fundraising effort. It’s a win-win. The NCSA’s Management Team stands ready to respond to any organisation wanting to work with and assist us financially.” (RSM)