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Contact:
Chris Satney
Friday, January 21, 2005 - St. Lucia is now a part of the Caribbean
Committee for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (CCPADD), with
the launching Wednesday, January 19 of a local chapter. The activity which took
place at the Green Parrot Hotel incorporates the island in the activities and
programmes of the International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism and
Drug Dependency (ICPA), in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle in the region.
At a Health Summit Conference in Antigua last year, the ICPA gave a mandate for
the region to take hold and help reverse the repercussions of a rising drug
problem in the Caribbean, through the establishment of a Caribbean Charter.
President of the National Committee for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug
Dependency, Clement Charles said since then National Committees have sprung up
in all Caribbean territories.
“It is indeed an opportunity and a great moment that NCPADD with all other part
takers or stakeholders within the whole thrust of St. Lucia who seek to help
reduce the abuse of licit substances, whether they be alcohol or other substance
and also to fight against illicit substance in helping our country to remain
healthy and beautiful,” Mr. Charles said.
Director of the ICPA, Dr. Peter Landless said the organization was happy to
network with other organizations with the common goal of keeping society drug
free. However, he also lamented the fact that legal substances like alcohol and
tobacco have been forgotten in the whole debate over drug abuse.
“Alcohol”, he said, “gets forgotten because it is legal; tobacco is legal and
yet the effects are so deleterious. The statistics tell us that five million
people die every year. From tobacco related causes. Five million every year!”
The Caribbean Committee for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency
has, in the meantime made a plea for St. Lucia to speed up the process that will
enable it to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Mr. Victor
Roach said the country, as a result will, among other things be in a position to
put legislation in place that will ban smoking in public buildings and work
places.
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