RBPF: Collaborative approach to combating drug use

The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) wants to see a collaborative approach in the fight against drugs.

In addition to education and detection by law enforcement officers, Inspector (Ag) Roland Cobbler said that parents have a responsibility to ensure they are actively involved in their children’s life.

“You must familiarise yourself with their friends and their activities. Have dialogue with their teachers in relation to their behaviour and their performance.”

He offered this advice during the 2019 Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) Graduation and Awards ceremony of the Wilkie Cumberbatch School at the Prince Cave Hall, Police Band Headquarters, District “A” Complex, on Wednesday.

The ten-week programme carried out by the RBPF is designed to assist students in making safe and responsible choices.

“Parents and guardians please understand that you have a pivotal and supportive role to play in this process. It is important that you set good examples and reinforce the importance of positive values,” he stressed.

Director of the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit in the Attorney General’s Office, Cheryl Willoughby, further insisted that the home is the most important institution at building good characters and transmitting values in youth, since parents are the greatest influences in the lives of children.

“Parents are the first teachers and role models for their children. As children grow they look to their parents to provide nurturing, guidance, morals and values…Therefore, parents are the best source to keep their children safe from drugs as well as to help them develop skills they need to make positive choices,” she said, revealing that research has shown that children of offenders often follow in their parents’ footsteps and become part of the criminal justice system.

“Teachers and other staff members are also important in the lives of children. Teaching is a profession that cannot be done by any and everyone. Qualifications are only one part of the process of being a teacher. I see teaching as a profession that should be reserved for persons who love children and want to make a difference in the lives of young people.”

Moreover, the Director said that research has shown that drug abuse and drug trafficking are two serious problems that contribute to the increased level of violence and gun-related crimes.

She explained there is a strong correlation between the drug trade and the illicit firearm trade which not only effects individuals and families, but society in general given Barbados’ dependence on tourism and foreign investment.

“It is therefore important for every Barbadian both here and across the Diaspora to assist with charting more productive paths and opportunities for our youths.”

Willoughby therefore believes that the DARE programme performs a vital role at educating young people about drugs and diverting them from the criminal justice system, through aspects of decision-making; risk and consequences; peer pressure; communication skills; and bullying among others.

“These are addressing a number of the risk factors to violent crime identified through the research conducted by the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit… I am confident that the DARE programme provided the students with all the necessary information and skills that will allow them to make wise decisions about their health and the importance of being productive citizens,” she further expressed. (TL)