The National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) is continuing its Succeeding Through Rehabilitative Opportunities Group (STRONG) Programme, an initiative designed to address marijuana use among adolescents. This year, the programme will commence on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

The ongoing prevalence of marijuana use as a primary presenting problem among adolescent clients has been a significant finding in the Council’s BARDIN reports, underscoring the need for targeted interventions like STRONG.

The STRONG Programme provides ten comprehensive group therapy sessions that tackle critical areas such as drug refusal skills, enhancing social support networks, problem-solving, anger awareness and management, and coping with cravings and urges. By addressing these key issues, the programme aims to equip adolescents with the tools they need to overcome substance use challenges.

Recognizing that substance use and abuse impact not just the individual but also their families and communities, the STRONG Programme adopts a holistic approach. This year, a dedicated parent and family support component will be included. These sessions aim to help parents understand drug use among their children, improve their parenting skills, and equip them with strategies to support their children in overcoming substance use.

Ms. Katrina Lewis and Mr. Rico Antoine will facilitate the adolescent sessions, while Ms. Sharon Moaze will lead the parent sessions. The parent sessions will begin the week of July 16, 2024, and will consist of 12 weekly sessions, primarily held online with some face-to-face meetings at the NCSA.

As we continue to refine and expand the STRONG Programme, we remain committed to incorporating additional components to enhance its holistic nature. Supporting our adolescents is of paramount importance, as they are the future leaders, decision-makers, and contributing citizens of our society. Providing positive, healthy alternatives for engagement within communities is essential, especially during the summer months when many adolescents lack adequate supervision.

We urge families, schools, and community organizations to offer well-supervised and organized activities at little to no cost to ensure maximum participation. Such initiatives are crucial in fostering a supportive environment for our youth.

For more information on the STRONG Programme or to get involved, please contact the NCSA at 535-6272 or email ncsa.info@barbados.gov.bb. (PR)

Here are some tips to get you prepared for the hurricane season. Also find out how to keep safe before, during and after bad weather.

Before the Storm

• Protect your windows from the threat of flying debris, by installing shutters.
• Ensure that your roof and foundation are secure.
• Check for termite damage.
• Trim tree branches.
• Have an up-to-date insurance policy.
• Secure emergency supplies and important documents in water tight containers.
• Have a portable first-aid kit.
• Know the location of the nearest emergency shelter.
• Monitor the amount of rainfall outside.
• Secure emergency supplies and important documents in water tight containers.
• Keep on hand lumber, a hammer, torchlight, masking tape, medicine, boots, rubber gloves, raincoat, nails, rope, wires, plastic sheeting, and sandbags.
• Have enough water stored in sealed plastic containers to allow for cooking, bathing, washing and other domestic chores for two weeks.
• Have canned foods and dried goods and a portable transistor radio.
• Keep listening to your local radio station for updates and advisories.
• Always have a plan for your home as well as your office.
• Persons living in low-lying areas should move household items to higher levels and prepare to evacuate when the water begins to rise.
• Turn off all electrical appliances.
• Remove TV antennas from the roof.
• Have emergency cash available.

 Before the Storm – Farmers

• Store livestock feed and supplies above expected water levels.
• Keep on hand material such as lumber, plywood, nails, rope, wire, hammer, sandbags, boots, raincoats, lanterns and a battery-operated radio.
• Store important documents in watertight containers.

Terms to Know

Flood Watch – Period during which flood monitoring, forecasting and flood warnings are carried out. During this time the probability of flooding is assessed and information disseminated.

Flood Alert – Period of intense data collection, monitoring and assessment. The possibility of flooding is present.

Flood Warning – Issued when indications show that water levels will exceed the alert level within 24 hours.

Small Craft Advisory – Issued when weather conditions make small craft operations marginally safe. Issued for moderate sea conditions, winds of 20 mph or low visibility due to haze.

Small Craft Warning – Issued when conditions are unsafe for small craft operations. Issued for tropical depressions, storms, hurricanes and rough seas.

Storm Warning – Issued for an area when tropical storm conditions are expected to occur within 24 hours or less.

Tropical Wave – Is a low-pressure trough or a weak low-pressure circulation.

Tropical Cyclone – The general term used for anti-clockwise circulations originating over tropical waters.

Tropical Disturbance – An area of organised convection in the lower atmosphere which may or may not be associated with a surface low-pressure system and which has maintained its identity for at least 24 hours.

Tropical Depression – Is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum average surface wind is 38 mph or less.

Tropical Storm – A well organised tropical cyclone has maximum average surface winds of 39-73 mph.

The District Emergency Organisations (DEOs)

The District Emergency Organisation (DEO) operates as the volunteer arm of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM. The role of the DEO is to organise and coordinate the resources of the community so as to allow for an effective response in time of crisis.

The DEO works with the community to develop and operationalise disaster prevention and disaster preparedness programs to lessen the impact of identified hazards such as hurricane, flood and earthquake, fire, aircraft and vehicular accidents and is also becoming more and more involved in the fight against environmental hazards.

Joining a District Emergency Organisation in your community is another step towards getting ready for the season. And, you receive training in first aid and chainsaw operation. Here’s how you can help.

• Find the nearest DEO and become a volunteer.
• If you are a carpenter or artisan you can offer your assistance.
• In case of a storm or hurricane, members can assist with makeshift housing after the system has passed.

At the Shelter

• The senior warden is the supreme authority in the shelter.
• The senior warden can call on any occupant of the shelter to assist with its operation.
• Every occupant of the shelter should be cooperative.
• If a state of emergency is proclaimed at any time under the Emergency Powers Act, all persons within the shelter will be subject to the orders made under the Act and will be liable for such penalties as may be imposed for failure to comply.
• The senior warden and all assistants cannot accept responsibility for anyone’s personal property. (PR/GIS)

The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) has simplified the annual registration process for private vehicles. From Monday, July 15, 2024, when private vehicle owners renew their insurance policies, they will receive an electronic notification from the BLA. 

This initiative is a preparatory step for the upcoming Electronic Vehicle Tagging Registration (EVTR) system, commonly known as the EVR system, which will eliminate road tax discs and the registration stickers that were placed on the back of private vehicles.

When private vehicle insurance policies are renewed, insurance companies will send this information electronically to the BLA, and this will be automatically updated in the BLA’s database. Private vehicle owners will then receive the notification via email from the BLA confirming their registration status. 

Persons will be required to provide a valid email address to their insurance company. In the absence of an email address, the registration notification will be posted. The notification should be kept in their vehicle to be presented upon request by a Police Officer or a Transport Inspector.

This new electronic process will eliminate the need for persons to make manual submissions and visits to the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA), making it more convenient for private vehicle owners. It will further ensure that BLA’s database is updated in real-time to reflect registration and insurance compliance of private vehicles as a legislative requirement.

According to Section 5(4) of the Road Traffic Act: “Every owner of a motor vehicle shall annually register the motor vehicle with the Licensing Authority on the anniversary date on which the vehicle was first registered.”

Traditionally, the registration process required vehicle owners to visit the BRA with their insurance documents to update their records, and receive a registration disc. However, since road tax was abolished for private vehicles in 2018, private vehicle registration is now onlytied to insurance compliance.

This collaborative effort amongst the BLA, the BRA and the insurance companies promises to improve efficiency, reduce paperwork, and ensure timely updates to vehicle registration records, making it easier for vehicle owners to stay compliant with the law. 

The upcoming Electronic Vehicle Tagging Registration system will require private vehicles to be tagged with a single radio frequency identification sticker as proof that vehicles are insurance compliant and registered with the Barbados Licensing Authority. (PR)