THE sale and use of hallucinogenic, illicit drugs on local school campuses has had a detrimental effect on the lives of numerous Bahamian students and has adversely impacted their scholastic performance.
The drug trade in the Bahamas has had a costly impact on society, ranging from the negligence of family, pauperism and homelessness, urban/social decay, lack of investor confidence and a weakened economy, sexually transmitted diseases, an upsurge in health concerns/costs and a spike in violent crime.
Tobacco, alcohol and illegal drug use is becoming more widespread among high school students, with the usage if marijuana and other inhalants becoming increasingly popular in grades nine to 12.
In the Bahamas, the average age for male and female students who peddle and smoke weed/drugs is age 13 and 14, respectively. Banned drugs such as ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine, opium and heroin is often used by adolescents in their quest for otherworldly bliss and some warped form of self-transcendence, due to peer pressure and a need to be well-liked (group cohesion), mimicking celebrities and/or older siblings/friends, hoping to escape and/or solve problems or to seek parental support and attention.
Over the years, the illicit drug plague has ripped our social fabric and will unremittingly haunt the history of our island chain for many years to come. Since the boom of the drug trade, the Bahamas slithered from a quiet society where people could sleep with their doors open, to a crime-riddled, materialistic society where brotherly love has almost disappeared to be replaced by greed and the preoccupation that “we must out do the Jones”.
During the drug explosion of the 1970s/1980s, the Bahamas became the paramount staging point for the traffic of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, due to its situation between the US (demand) and South American drug producers. Islands such as the Exumas, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Abaco, Long Island, Grand Bahama, Inagua, San Salvador and Eleuthera soon lost there exotic glaze, becoming shadowy offshoots as rapacious natives were besieged by their zeal for quick riches.
Throughout the years, drugs coupled with alcohol have led to a societal meltdown, with crime, suicides, marital breakdowns, domestic violence, absenteeism and unwarranted accidents all the result of these uses. Here, a formerly thriving man became an utter slob.
These days, press reports indicate that the use of illicit drugs—particularly marijuana—has risen among schoolchildren. Frankly, informal surveys show that young people are heavily engaged in the abuse and solicitation of banned substances.
According to Terrance Fountain, deputy director designate of the Anti-Drug Secretariat, although teenagers use other drugs, marijuana is the drug of choice among high school students.
Furthermore, stories of children as young as 10 purchasing and becoming addicted to alcohol must not be taken flippantly. These incidents are patent indications that a new generation of substance abusers is on the horizon, who are willingly sacrificing books and brain cells, and the future of our country, for a speedy high.
In a recent news report, I was dumbfounded when Mr Fountain claimed that the last drug survey among high school students was conducted in 2002. Fountain asserted that the survey discovered that between 15 to 20 per cent of Bahamian youngsters had experimented with marijuana at least once in their lifetime. Frankly, those who conducted that survey appear to have been grossly deceived as a more realistic impression—based on word of mouth, eye-witness accounts and informal surveys—far exceed 15 to 20 per cent.
The deputy director suggested that young males were more susceptible to prohibited activities (such as marijuana use), pointing to the male to female ratio of persons enrolled at the College of the Bahamas as being reflective of this sad reality.
In that July report, Mr Fountain stated that a high school survey was being organized for this fall semester to determine how many students were at risk or already using drugs, however little has been heard about the progress of that proposed survey since that time.
Indeed, sensation-seeking, teenage drug abusers face far-reaching social implications that go beyond high school. A student drug user’s scholastic performance is negatively impacted, which could lead to them skipping classes, falling behind and failing to complete assignments, being undisciplined, tardiness and poor school attendance.
The Bahamas National Drug Council claims that teenagers using drugs exhibit symptoms such as constant arguing; lying and irresponsibility; isolation, secrecy and less involvement in family activities; new interests and friends; bad grades; hyperactivity, drowsiness or forgetfulness; depression or mood swings; change in speaking patterns; weight gain or loss and junk food cravings; bloodshot eyes and the use of eye drops or incense; runny nose and coughing; carry odd, small containers in their pockets and purse; money problems and the disappearance of alcohol, drugs and other possessions from their residences (possibly for sale).
The Council also asserts that the discoveries of drug “paraphernalia such as pipes, papers and razor blades; needle marks; tremors and hallucinations or delusions” are all indicators that a teenager is using drugs.
Students who exhibit physical or emotional signs such as loss of motor controls, dizziness, unnecessary giggling, paranoia and mood problems such as an aggressive approach with peers/teachers—in addition to the aforementioned behaviours—show a pattern for concern and they are most likely chemically dependent, adolescent drug abusers.
While many teenage drug users may display a penchant for smoking “blunts” (marijuana), I am told that others prefer cold and cough medicines, nose candy such as cocaine/crack, speed uppers (amphetamines) and sniffing or huffing (i.e., putting an inhalant soaked rag in the mouth) household products such as paint thinner, glue, spray paint, hair spray, correction fluid (white-out), marker fluid and so on.
The popularity of the “chronic” (marijuana) is undoubtedly due in part to its glorification in movies/music and its easy accessibility, particularly as it can be grown and distributed locally. These days, marijuana is usually laced with more potent drugs before being smoked.
Ecstasy, a coloured tablet, has gained popularity among school age adolescents, particularly those that frequent nightspots and drinking parties.
Just this year, I smelt the marijuana scent on the clothes of a ninth-grade student. When asked if he had been smoking, he vehemently denied it, although his blood shot eyes and poor academic performance seemed to tell another story.
I’ve found that students from broken homes, or who are being raised in ghetto/urban areas, are more likely to use drugs although studies show that children across all socioeconomic and cultural groupings can be attracted to dope.
Due to drug and alcohol abuse, scores of youngsters—school age and older—are becoming intoxicated and fatally struck down by accidental deaths (i.e. overdoses, vehicular crashes, etc). Because drugs and alcohol adversely affects a person’s coordination and judgment, it’s hardly surprising that so many youngsters are tallied among yearly traffic fatality counts after a night of reckless partying.
It is this disorientation and/or impaired judgment that is the root cause of traffic mishaps, suicides, unwanted pregnancies, sexual assaults, sexually transmitted diseases and instances of high-risk sex, many times without protection and with multiple partners.
Rather than focusing on restricting and using undemocratic means to censure/restrict what adults can watch and listen to, the ‘vocal-when-convenient’ Bahamas Christian Council should be fostering community cohesion, helping the sick and impoverished, and proposing and utilizing practical ways to combat crime and the increase in drug usage, particularly by youngsters. In a democracy, no entity—including the Council—has a right to impose its views on law abiding adults.
I once asked: “Will lawless youngsters soon begin to stick up churches?” Last weekend, that became a reality in Bimini when an cutlass-wielding young man allegedly chased two teenagers through the pews of a Bimini church while it was in session.
Even more, parents must seriously take into account the mind-altering effects of drugs and keenly seek to curb adolescent drug use or experimentation by developing sound relationships, instilling positive values and high standards, fostering discipline and advising youngsters about the dangers and pitfalls of drug use, establishing open communication channels and encouraging their children to excel and fulfill their ambitions. Negligent parents are more likely to produce antisocial, teenage miscreants.
Youngsters using drugs must be taught that the possession, sale and use of drugs such as marijuana and ecstasy is forbidden by Bahamian laws and, beyond all the health and mental concerns, that being arrested and convicted of drug possession can lead to a police record which may hinder college entrance, cause mistrust, limit travelling options and make them unattractive candidates for jobs, regardless of their qualifications/skills.
Furthermore, the law must be enforced and it must be established that bartenders should request the IDs of patrons, hereby refusing to sell alcohol to anyone younger than 18. The discovery of any alcoholic depot not complying should lead to that depot facing stiff penalties.
There is no point in sugarcoating the issues without confronting the serious issues afflicting the educational system!
With Atlantis laying off 800 workers and an economy that’s on the ropes, good customer service in our tourist-driven economy is invaluable. This weekend I stayed at Breezes on Cable Beach and saw firsthand the fantastic customer service rendered at this hotel, particularly by reservations/front desk representative—Lydia.
She deserves must credit and hopefully a raise. With well-trained, courteous employees such as this, Breezes’ owner John Issa should be proud of his investment. Thanks to Lydia and others, I had a great stay!
First published in The Tribune on Friday, November 14, 2008 under the byline, Young Man's View.
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