Project SOFT influencing youth

The soon-to-be released National Primary School Survey 2020 found that the average age of first use for most drugs is between seven and eight years.

Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams said that it also revealed that family and friends are the most common drug sources for students in Classes 3 and 4, more than half of whom reported the use of “any drug” during their lifetime.

He is therefore adamant that findings such as these clearly underscore the need for, and importance of, a programme such as Project SOFT (Safeguarding Our Future Today).

Throughout the past 18 years, approximately 650 children have passed through the Camp hosted by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) and over 500 families have been positively impacted by the programme.

“Most families that experienced its benefits first hand, went on to ensure that all of their children and relatives participated after completing the secondary school entrance exam. This is a true testament to the quality of the programme and its role in positively shaping our young people,” said Minister Abrahams, who was at the time addressing Project SOFT’s Annual Graduation Ceremony at Prince Cave Hall, District ‘A’ Complex, on Saturday.

Project SOFT, traditionally a one-week, residential, self-development programme was conceptualised to respond to the increasing levels of drug use and violence among the youth in our society, and specifically seeks to increase the protective factors of 11-year-old students transitioning from primary to secondary school in order to prevent or delay the onset of drug use or abuse.

However, this year’s Project SOFT programme differed from that of previous years. Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, a decision was taken to utilise a non-residential approach. Despite this year’s change the children were, as always, exposed to a curriculum designed specifically to equip them with the skills and information needed to successfully navigate their transition to secondary school life.

Moreover, the Home Affairs Minister took the opportunity to encourage the 40 Project SOFT graduates to choose their friends wisely, warning “The friends you socialise with can influence your lives for the good or the bad.”

“At the camp, I told you that anyone who encourages you to try drugs is not your friend. Remember that. Also, take time to evaluate each decision you make and determine if it will have positive or negative consequences. And set goals, like ‘I Choose to be drug-free’. Research has shown that it is less likely for a young person, like you, to use drugs if they have drug-free friends and an attitude to remain drug-free,” he told the children.

NCSA’s Deputy Manager (Ag.), Dr. Jonathan Yearwood, said that school transitions are also linked to addressing the psychological and social problems students face as they change schools. He further explained that Project SOFT is a three-phase approach to transitioning students from primary to secondary school.

“First, students participate in a one-week camp delivering life skills and drug education. In the second stage, parents of participating students receive training in drug education, dealing with adolescents and coping skills. The third component involves students’ participation in a follow-up programme that assesses and reinforces learning and skills acquired during the first stage.

“By addressing the challenges students face on entering secondary school and equipping parents with the relevant skills to guide their children through a difficult period in their lives; Project SOFT meets the criteria for the successful transitioning of students from primary to secondary education,” he assured. (TL)