Research needed

Comprehensive research should be done on how the abuse of legal and illegal substances is impacting Barbados.

 

So says Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs, Adriel Brathwaite, who said he is convinced that there is a significant cost to the country in the lost of productivity, injuries, money spent at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and at the Psychiatric Hospital, and he is adamant that efforts must be made to reduce this. He was delivering the featured address during the opening ceremony of the Barbados National Anti-Drug Plan 2017-2021, Consultation of National Stakeholders at the Savannah Beach hotel yesterday morning, hosted by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA).

 

Brathwaite said that such research should also look at the impact alcohol consumption is having on the society and what role breathalyser testing can play. He made the point while indicating that he did not believe there was a sensible argument against breathalyser testing, but acknowledged that persons wanted evidence to show the dangers of alcohol and so such evidence should be provided.

 

The AG went on to contend that in-depth research must also be the order of the day in respect in the legalisation of marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes, as he noted that reports have suggested that some countries, which have decriminalised marijuana, have seen an increase in traffic accidents and psychiatric issues among young people.

 

“As a country and as Minister responsible for the NCSA, ours is not to respond to the most emotive, to the loudest of noises; ours is a responsibility to ensure that whatever decision that we take redounds to the benefit of the majority of citizens of this country. So if there is a role for medicinal marijuana, then let us examine it… But we cannot and should not jump, and this is my point continuously, on any bandwagon,” he contended.

 

The Attorney General made the comments as he referred to recent reports out of Jamaica that they need to relook the situation in that Caribbean country relative to marijuana use since they relaxed regulations. The Home Affairs Minister said Jamaica has reportedly been seeing an upsurge in the use of the drug, and has also been seeing a number of young people being diagnosed with psychiatric and medical issues, resulting in a significant public health issue.

 

“I do not wish that for Barbados,” he maintained. (JRT)