NCSA warns of ‘slow diversification’ in drug use as new substances emerge

As Barbados observes Drug Awareness Month, the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) is warning that while so-called traditional drugs remain dominant, the island is seeing a gradual but concerning expansion in the types of substances being used, particularly among young people.

Deputy Manager of the NCSA, Troy Wickham, said the council’s most recent Drug Information Network report showed that commonly known drugs continue to be the main drugs of choice.

“Based on our last drug information network report, traditional drugs are still the main drugs of choice,” he explained. “Drugs such as marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, cocaine and crack cocaine, they’re still the main drugs of choice for Barbadians.”

However, he cautioned that new substances have entered the local drug market over the past two years, pointing to what he described as a “slow diversification” of drug use across the island.

“We’re seeing what we call new psychoactive substances or new drugs to the Barbados market being discovered, namely MDMA, best known as ecstasy, methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids, as well as semi-synthetic cannabinoids,” Wickham said.

Those substances included MDMA (Ecstacy), Methamphetamine, Synthetic Cannabinoids (MDMB4en PINACA and 4-Fluoro MDMB Butica) and Semi-synthetic cannabinoids (hexahydrocannabinol), were identified on the island between 2023 and 2025. 

Wickham noted that the shift is not just a statistic.

“We are getting reports and more and more persons are actually, in some instances, presenting themselves to treatment facilities for treatment for these new psychoactive substances,” he said. 

“So yes, traditional drugs are still here, but we are seeing a slow diversification in the local drug situation.”

He added that young males, particularly those under 40, continue to dominate both treatment referrals and encounters with the criminal justice system linked to substance use.

With Drug Awareness Month now under way, Wickham said there has been a noticeable increase in outreach from schools, families and communities seeking help.

“During Drug Awareness Month we basically get more and more persons reaching out to the NCSA for various types of information or interventions,” he said, while pointing out that requests range from drug education sessions in schools and communities to counselling and rehabilitation services.

Wickham stressed that access to help should not be a barrier. 

“It’s important to understand that our counselling is free for all Bajans,” he said.

Despite the increased engagement, Wickham said prevention and early intervention remained challenging, as the fear of being stigmatised continued to discourage people from seeking help early.

“It’s always challenging because it’s taboo for persons to admit that they have a substance abuse challenge. For a person to identify they have a challenge with substances… it seems to be some normalisation of marijuana use,” he said.

Wickham also pointed to growing public concern about open marijuana use across the island. 

“You’re seeing more and more persons traversing the streets, smoking marijuana openly, all ages, all genders, and for me that’s a concern because the habit seems to be normalised,” he said.

“Marijuana is still illegal in Barbados, and it’s illegal to smoke in public spaces in Barbados.”

He also urged parents, guardians and educators to stay alert to behavioural changes that may signal substance use among children and young people. 

He listed warning signs that may warrant concern. 

“You may see your child acting erratically, sometimes being aggressive, sometimes sleeping, short-term memory loss, long-term memory loss,” Wickham said, adding that anxiety, restlessness, aggression and being ill can also be indicators.

“Pay close attention to their friends, their company, who they’re socialising with. 

He also advised to watch for physical clues, including clothing and items that may suggest substance use.

“Persons who usually engage in smoking or drinking alcohol actually wear branded clothes representing the drug of choice. Pay attention to the paraphernalia… small ziploc bags… vape pens,” he suggested. 

Wickham also advised parents, guardians and educators to familiarize themselves with what these substances and tools for substance use look like. 

“I would advise that for parents, guardians, teachers, pay attention, close attention to their children and wards. Parental warmth and parental involvement is key.” he said, stressing that strong relationships at home can make a critical difference in prevention and early intervention. (LE)