Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams is calling on businesses to support the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) taking its programmes online.
Abrahams said given the current environment, NCSA is seeking to increase the delivery of its programmes via online platforms; an approach that will afford the Council an opportunity to expand its reach at a lower cost to the Government.
Speaking at this morning’s graduation ceremony of the 2020 edition of NCSA’s Project SOFT (Safeguarding Our Future Today) Graduation, at Prince Cave Hall, District ‘A’ Station, Station Hill, St Michael, Abrahams said the Council has dubbed the initiative ‘Drug Education Through Technology’, and in order to make it a reality, it must upgrade its information technology system.
“I draw this to your attention as it is one area in which the NCSA would welcome the support of corporate Barbados,” he said.
“As you know, the NCSA is the Government agency charged with preventing substance abuse and so devises, undertakes and promotes programmes and projects aimed at its prevention, elimination and or control.
“As the drug authority in Barbados, the NCSA has a large national mandate and disproportionately smaller agency budget. In order to accomplish its mission to promote sustained action for positive change in the fight against substance abuse and in the facilitation of drug education, prevention and drug-free lifestyles”, the Council needs the continued help of corporate Barbados,” Abrahams added.
Meanwhile, the Minister indicated that the success of the 18-year-old Project SOFT, which targets students transitioning from primary to secondary school, to date, would not have been possible without the support of sponsors. He commended the 26 sponsors who came on board this year noting that their support is commendable during these harsh economic times.
“You are worthy of emulation and I want to encourage other businesses and community-minded partnerships to follow suit and continue these important partnerships,” he said. (AH)
