Directory

Contact Data

Institution

Type of organisation

Governamental/Public-national

Year of foundation

1997

Institutional presentation

Institutional Vision: Partnering for Optimum Health for All Mission: To enhance the social and psychological well being of all citizens through established programmes to ensure their non-acceptance and non- involvement in drug abuse practices thereby reducing significantly the demand for drugs. The National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit (NDAPU) was established in April 1997 by the Government of Dominica as a response to addressing the issues highlighted in the evaluation of the former Drug Education Programme (1993- 1997), that is to harmonize and coordinate all anti-drug activities on the island.

Direct beneficiaries

• Not drug users
• Experimental drug users
• Problematic drug users
• Fromer drug users
• Motivational groups (drug users and not drug users)

Target population activities

• Family/parents

Objective of the centre/ services

Objectives To provide accurate and up to date information on the drug situation so as to guide implementation of programmes To empower communities to be responsible for themselves by developing a cadre of skilled community leaders to fight the drug problem To equip the school population with skills that will enable them to make responsible decisions To increase the public's knowledge on drug issues and to sensitize them on the current drug situation.

National coverage

The National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit is a National Government program that is operational in the seven health districts around the island of Dominica.

Intervention framework

Intervention types

• Prevention

Intervention framework for Prevention

• School/primary education
• School/secondary education
• University/Tertiary education
• Community
• Family
• Work place

Activities

• Hosting
• Support
• Coodination
• Promotion
• Health education
• Training
• Information
• Distribution of material
• Awareness
• Field work / Practicum placement
• Street based intervention

Description of the main activities

Community Prevention Programme The National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit seeks to empower communities to deal with problems by: Training of community leaders Encouraging youth advocacy on anti-drug issues Assisting in the formation of anti-drug groups Facilitating groups in implementing community based programmes Implementing alternative programmes to drug activities– Drama, sports, education, economic Conducting Training workshops and camps Promoting the collaboration of efforts among anti-drug groups Promoting public awareness campaigns School Prevention Programmes The National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit endeavours to reduce the impact of drugs on the school population by: Conducting Peer Counselling Workshops for students, teachers and parents The formation of anti-drug clubs Providing Educational Materials on Alcohol and Substance Abuse Conducing Training Camps for students Providing support to anti-drug clubs Reviewing of Life Skills and Drugs Education Curriculum Supervision of Pre-School Anti– Drug efforts Conducting training programmes for teachers’ Production of curriculum materials for secondary schools Promoting the continued involvement of students on completion of school in anti-drug activities