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Call for stricter laws to curtail drinking and driving

Contact: Claudia Monlouis

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 – President of the International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Victor Roache has expressed concern that a recent survey emanating from the University of the West Indies on driving under the influence (DUI), found over 50 percent of respondents admitting to driving under the influence. A whopping 54 per cent of all males questioned, admitted to driving under the influence on one or more occasions every week.

The findings of the survey has prompted a strong reaction from the International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency. President Victor Roach has called on Saint Lucia to join the region in applying stricter law enforcement measures on the roads.

According to Roache: “Given the recent report by Dr. Errol Simms, Head of Management Studies at the University of the West Indies that drinking and driving is a significant problem that continues to persist in the Caribbean, the Caribbean ICTA is calling for the prompt introduction of breathalyser tests in Saint Lucia and other Caribbean countries.’

Survey respondents ranged across five countries in the Caribbean including Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad.

“We also place great emphasis on prevention. The statistics for rehabilitation and their success are sometimes very far and in between—sometimes as low as 2-3- percent. If more persons are rehabilitated that would be extraordinary, so our emphasis is prevention.”

Dr Errol Simms, Head of Management Studies at the University of the West Indies,
conducted the survey.

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