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Members of the San Pedro Task
Force
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Last Saturday a commissioning ceremony was
held for the members of the newly formed San Pedro Drug Demand Reduction
Task Force. The National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) is determined
to create a society free from the abuse of drugs while advancing the good
health and moral well-being of the nation. In this light, NDACC developed
Drug Demand Reduction Task Forces in each district in an effort to
collaboratively take action against the scourge of drugs within our
communities.
Present for this ceremony were Mr. Jules Vasquez,
Executive Director, NDACC; Mr. Marlon McNab, Belize District Coordinator,
NDACC; Mr. Alan Usher, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National
Security and Economic Development; Area Representative, Patty Arceo; San
Pedro Town Council representatives; concerned citizens; members of the
San Pedro Drug Task Force; The San Pedro
Sun, Radio Arecife and Government Press Office
personnel.
Mr. Jules Vasquez
acted as Master of Ceremonies and expressed apologies for the delay in
commissioning the San Pedro group. He then introduced young Natalie Arceo
who led the gathering in the singing of the National Anthem, followed by
an invocation by Mr. Omar Arceo, Vice-Chairperson of the San Pedro Drug
Task Force.
In his address to the crowd, Mr. Marlon McNab said,
"In our headlines today or today's top stories: One
person was arrested and charged for the possession of X grams of
marijuana. One person arrested for X kilos of cocaine. One person was
found dead after an apparent drug deal became stinky. X acres of
marijuana crops destroyed.
Headlines like these are both
physically and psychologically disturbing to the individual, and within
the community who cares and is determined to ensure the successful future
of Belize, our beloved land. Statistics prove that the age of first use
of drugs has fallen and continues to decrease. Globally, the average age
of first use is 12. We have got to remind ourselves that Belize's future
rests in the hands of our younger population. If this trend continues,
there might not be a Belize thirty years from now. We have more than half
of our population of students who drink alcohol. There is an urgent need
for school drug policies and drug education programmes. The National Drug
Council is happy to say that one of its greatest accomplishments has been
the infusion of Drug Education within the Primary Schools' National
Curriculum. Our goal now is to extend into the secondary schools and also
incorporate Drug Education into their curriculum. The National Drug
Council is also proud to say that, for the first time, Belize has its own
National Anti-Drug Strategy that involves some $40 million Belize dollars
to address this social problem, known as drugs, in the areas of
prevention and education, treatment and rehabilitation, law enforcement,
research and information. NDACC has therefore, within the past months,
been moving at the speed of light, with momentum, creating impact. With
this in mind, the National Drug Council needs to continue its momentum
and definitely, admittedly, NDACC cannot do it alone. The involvement of
the community is crucial in gaining support, developing and implementing
appropriate activities to address the problem. District Task Forces have
now been established in every district including Belmopan and today, San
Pedro. Your soon to be commissioned Drug Demand Reduction Task Force
members are undertaking a personal gratification journey and challenge.
This job will bring you enemies; remember we fight against
ėprincipalities and rulers of darkness' but ėthough we walk through the
valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil, for God is with
us.'
Your presence here today speaks louder
than you know. The first time I came here I was and still am amazed by
your commitment and determination. NDACC thrives on a few men and women
like yourselves. Already you have done several activities; radio ads, a
health fair, sponsored alternatives to drug, visited schools to do
education sessions and a ėThink Before U Drink' campaign. All this has
been done within two months of your existence as the San Pedro Drug
Demand Reduction Task Force. I know you will create change in San Pedro.
I want to wish you the best of luck, may God bless you and always
remember; ėThe Land of the Free can be Drug Free'."
Mr. Alan Usher also addressed the crowd and sent best
wishes on behalf of the Minister of National Security. The Area
Representative then gave her remarks and expressed her views on the Drug
Task Force as well as proactive measures to be taken in a
soon-to-commence drug prevention program.
The newly commissioned members were then each
presented with a certificate. The San Pedro Drug Demand Reduction Task
Force consists of Corporal Llewelyn Usher, Sandro Magaña, Eiden Salazar,
Omar Arceo, Lane Thomas, Debbie Spain, Ian Zaldivar, ASP Michael
Guttierez, Pedro "Jimbo" Vasquez and Emil Vasquez.
The vote of thanks was given by Ms. Lane Thomas
followed by dance entertainment featuring the San Pedro Dance Company.
The gathering was then treated to seafood ceviche and drinks.
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