Hard Drugs Usage Demand Coordinated National Response

Hard drugs are no longer just a law enforcement concern. Their growing use among young Belizeans is also putting the country’s public health and mental health systems under pressure. As authorities report seizures involving drugs beyond marijuana, Health Minister Kevin Bernard says Belize needs a coordinated response involving health officials, social services, police and the National Drug Abuse Control Council. But with more Belizeans struggling with substance abuse and related mental health challenges, we’re asking: does the country have enough facilities and support services to help them?

 

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“We do have support structures. Palm View Center is a mental health facility, a facility that supports persons with, who are struggling with mental health issues in various areas. We do have the I believe  through the Human Development Ministry, programs that we work with people in these areas, and again the National Development the NDAC.”

 

Reporter

“But do many of them deal with drug rehabilitation?”

 

Kevin Bernard

“Of course they do. We have and that’s what NDAC does and the outreach that they do of this. Again, we work closely with Human Development Ministry, with the police department in addressing these issues. Of course, all of us will be concerned if they’re saying that these are the type of drugs they are seeing coming into the country and using people using these type level of drugs. So  it’s not a ministry approach alone. It’s a all of various parties and bodies that has to work together to ensure that we could address these ills that are affecting our country.”

 

Bernard said the government has secured IDB funding to expand the Palm View Center, increasing capacity for individuals with severe mental health challenges.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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