PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 - United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls on June 26th each year to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. This day is supported by individuals, communities and various organizations all over the world.
The awareness campaign is aimed at reducing the abuse and usage of drugs mainly amongst the youth by educating and empowering them to make informed choices and to resist being pressured into taking drugs. Under their three years theme (2007-2009): “Do drugs control your life?” - the National Drug Unit has added to that mantra: ‘Take it back’. Therefore, it now reads: “Do Drugs Control Your Life? Take it Back.”
On Friday, June 12th at 11:00am - the National Drug Unit in collaboration with the Drug Prevention Foundation Programme will be going into school in Middle and North Caicos to address the students on the dangers of alcohol and drugs use.
Thursday 18th June sees the Unit hosting Turks & Caicos Islands Community College Annual Inter-Campus Debate, Grand Turk versus Provo. The moot for this year’s debate is: Marijuana is a natural herb created by God; therefore it should be made legal.” The debate will take place at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Downtown Providenciales is sponsored by Digicel; and will commence at 10:00am. The National Drug Unit has invited students from all schools to attend this very exciting competition and the general public likewise is invited to attend.
There will be other competitions held on the day; they include a Prison Painting Competition, Prison Poetry Competition, and a skit competition between the Prison and RAPPORT group of Grand Turk, and Rapport Providenciales. All of theses will be judged at the debate venue.
Moreover, the National Drug Unit is also launching an Internet Quiz Competition on their website
www.drugcouncil.tc sponsored by LIME. This competition will be for secondary and primary schools students.
On Friday, June 26th - each Island throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands will be hosting an individual activity in commemoration of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking - be it a fun day, movie night, street rally or some sort of activity.
For more information on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and activities of the National Drug Unit, kindly contact Ms. Lester King, Deputy Director, National Drug Unit on 946-2801, ext 82501
END
