Health Ministry hosts workshop on substance abuse

Source: Guyana Chronicle, 3rd June 2008

FOLLOWING the launch of the Ministry of Health workplace Anti-Drug sensitization programme two weeks ago, the Ministry of Health Mental Health Unit yesterday hosted a five-day workshop on ‘Concurrent Disorders/Substance Abuse’, in its continuing effort to reduce substance abuse in Guyana.

During an address at a workshop held at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said the workshop is a pivotal part of developing a mental health programme in Guyana.

He noted that Guyana has made tremendous progress in every aspect of public health in the country whether it is infrastructure, technology or capacity-building.

The Health Minister said the area of mental health has shown slow progress and noted that the Ministry has accelerated its mental health programme.

“We now have a mental health policy that governs the work we do in the public health sector and the private sector and this policy will become alive in the next month or so,” he said.

Ramsammy pointed out that substance abuse is an integral part of the Ministry’s health response and noted that the purpose of the workshop is to enlighten persons about substance abuse.

“Most persons we have to deal with in terms of substance abuse are persons who would be abusing alcohol…too many persons on World Tobacco Day were seen smoking,” the Minister lamented.

He further stated that alcohol abuse has damaged the lives of many citizens and urged that persons who are victims of substance abuse should be assisted to ensure that they escape a life of destruction and a life of not attaining their aspirations.

“Much of the domestic violence, accidents on our roads and increasing levels of diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and other STIs are related to the harmful use of substance abuse,” he added.

Ramsammy also noted that the Health Ministry is taking action to ensure that capacity is built within the organization and the public sector.

“We are developing a structured programme that is benefiting from the experience of programmes in other countries and in other sectors,” he said.

It was noted that participants in the workshop will be led through a model for community-based, integrated substance abuse programme that will provide training modules, power-point presentations and manuals on proven effective and efficient assessment and counselling for addictions including alcohol and tobacco abuse.

In attendance at the workshop were Mental Health Technical Adviser to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sonia Chehil and Director of Adult Mental Health Research and Head of Mental Health Rehabilitation Services, Dr. Lindsey George.