Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams has issued an Early Warning System (EWS) alert for two New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in Barbados.
He made the announcement regarding the alert for the two NPS MDMB-4en-PINACA and 4F-MDMB-BUTICA during a press briefing held at the Eastern Caribbean Camp, Ruby, St. Philip.
The two NPS were confirmed following testing and analysis at the Forensic Sciences Centre (FSC) and the findings were reported by the Director of the FSC, Cheryl Corbin, who identified the two NPS as Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs).
“We’re taking this very, very, very seriously. The discovery of these synthetic cannabinoids of this type in Barbados, though somewhat not surprising is a cause for serious concern by us all. This concern is buttressed by information that having been first identified in one country in May 2020, three months later in August, that country recorded 11 deaths.
“This speaks to not only the toxicity but the speed with which this drug impacts individuals. To have a situation such as this developed here places an additional burden on an already challenged public health system, struggling to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 as well as the health issues which have arisen as a result of natural disasters locally,” Minister Abrahams stressed.
Both Minister Abrahams and Director Corbin underscored there is a real danger to persons using the two NPS, as there has been no extensive scientific research about the use of the two combined SCs.
The Minister stated: “These synthetic cannabinoids have no accepted medical use in treatment. In fact, these products are usually labelled not for human consumption. In addition, there is a very real danger to persons using these substances, as this presents further challenges for the appropriate medical intervention. The symptoms resulting from use can not only lead to serious health problems but can possibly bring individuals into contact with the law; as some of the symptoms include increased violence and predictability of behaviour.”
He noted that with the presence of NPS on the island and their possible fatal effects, it is important more than ever before, that the government enhances a coordinated response to the issue of drug abuse in Barbados.
To this end, Minister Abrahams said he had discussions yesterday with the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) and has also instructed the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) to review and update the Barbados national anti-drug plan to reflect a proactive approach to drug abuse.
He noted that the early warning system to detect new psychoactive substances is “already bearing fruit”, and gave the commitment that he will give his continued support to efforts to strengthen mechanisms in order to ensure the continued stability of the island’s public health and security institutions.
“I want to thank the members of the public for the diligence exercised in this disregard. I encourage persons to report instances like these either to the NCSA or to the Barbados Police Service (BPS) so that in the very least, we are aware of and can issue a public alert to everyone regarding the need to be cautious and vigilant,” Minister Abrahams said. (PR/GIS)
