Substance-Use Prevention,Assessment and Rehabilitation Center-SPARC

Join us on ABS Television/Radio Monday 27th September at 8:00pm for the first edition of Child Care & Protection: The Discussion.

The Hon. Dean Jonas along with Director Feona Richards-Charles will discuss the new Child Care Policy and the rationale for this amendment.

GOVERNMENT TO CREATE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT HOTLINE The government is working to create a toll-free hotline for people needing mental health support. It comes as three families mourn loved ones believed to have t

My substance abuse started when I was 15 years old. I found out that my parents had major marital issues and it started to affect me. As a teenager I didn’t really understand how to process this so I started to look to my friends for support.

Some of my friends smoke while others drink. I did both but was more drawn to the drinking because it made me feel good at the time and I would forget about my issues. I started to hang out on the corner and going to parties, drinking and having a good time. This was my escape from the whole family drama. I started a life away from my family.

My father and I started to argue a lot and soon after I got in a major fight with him. It was so bad the justice system had to step in. I actually got locked up by the police. Because I had a substance abuse problem and I was under age, NCDA got involved. They became my mediator and stepped in and offered their assistance. I had nowhere else to turn and deep down I was happy that they got involved.

For me, As a young yute, I didn’t like the idea of getting in trouble with the law. They were able to refer me to the drug court programme and place me with other young people who had similar substance abuse problems. At first, I was skeptical but after being a part of a group, not feeling judged by others, I started to participate in various activities. We started to get counselling and I was no longer hanging with the set of friends that made me want to drink and smoke.

I found myself hanging out talking to some of the young people that was on the same journey; trying to get over their substance abuse. We were able to find other activities together to keep us occupied. I could call my counsellor and hold a ‘reasoning’ more time. NCDA actively played a role in my life with their intervention programme.

I finished my drug court programme successfully with the help of NCDA. After the programme I was offered a job and started to believe in my potential to do better and to be the best that I can be. This programme let me realize that life is not against you and you are not the only one out there struggling with problems.

I learned how to manage my emotions better and how to deal with certain situation without drinking. I am much more focus now; I have to be! I never want to run in problems with the law again. Every day I ask myself, what if I didn’t get the professional help? What would I have become?

For all the young people out there, that run to drinking and smoking when they are experiencing problems at home, believe me when I tell you seek help. Put your pride aside and if you don’t have anybody to help you call NCDA. Let them try help you. Hold your head up high and believe that you are much more than the drugs you running to.

Winners from question and answer radio segment and lucky dip 🥳🥳

A special thanks to our sponsors:
Abbott's Jewelry & Perfumery
The Best of Books Bookstore
Antigua
Chase Distributor's Ltd
Cool & Smooth
Cost Pro
Digicel
Flow
First Choice Supermarket
Gourmet Basket Supermarket
Joe Mikes Hotel Restaurant Casino & Catering
Office Express
Shoul's Toys Gifts & Housewares
TOWNHOUSE MEGA STORE
1st Choice Foods

We appreciated your generous donations!

Gratitude is also extended to Observer AM and ZDK( Sly J & Crew) for hosting us on your radio programs and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

Highlights from our Fun Day today !

We engaged the public in games that utilized drug stimulation googles to give a realistic feeling on the effects of substance use .

Individuals also got to win prizes from our lucky dip .

💜Appreciation Ceremony for Schools 💜

Today, we awarded each school with a certificate of appreciation to express our gratitude for their continued support over the years .



The Family and Social Services DivisionMinistry of Social Transformation and Human Resource Development

As we observe International Day Against Drugs & Illicit Trafficking 2021. SPARC will be hosting a series of activities :

Monday 21st June : Interview with Sly J on ZDK @ 9:00 am . He will be enlightening us on his personal experience with addiction and recovery . There will be a question and answer segment with prizes to be won .

Wednesday 23rd June : Radio appearance with our Director - Mrs Feona Charles - Richards , on Observer AM @ 8:20 am. Featured question and an answer segment with prizes also to be won .

Thursday 24th June: Brief ceremony with participating schools apart of our ‘ Moulding Young Minds’ school program.

Friday 25th June: Games day with the utilization of drug stimulation goggles to realistically educate the public on the effects of using substances.

We invite you to join us!



Dean The Family and Social Services Division Directorate of Gender Affairs, Antigua Barbuda Glanvilles Secondary School Antigua Grammar School Antigua Girls' High School Princess Margaret School (PMS)...Was, Is and Forever will be the BEST St. Mary's Secondary School Ottos Comprehensive School

Ma*****na still the most used ‘drug’ among the nation’s youth, Children as young as 10 being exposed to drugs by parents, officials say By Orville Williams [email protected] Although the Covid-19 pandemic has forced countless changes to aspects of our social lives, one thing remains true: ma*****na is still the most…

Our 'Moulding Young Minds' program, is currently part of the curriculum of 15 schools across the island. These are:

1. T.N Kirnon Primary
2. Buckely's Primary
3. Pares Primary
4. Freeman's Ville Primary
5. Potters Primary
6. S.R Olivia David Primary
7. Five Island's Primary
8. Pahram Primary
9. New Winthorpes Primary
10. Cobbs Cross Primary
11. Villa Primary
12. Bendals Primary
13. Piggots Primary
14. Charlesworth T. Samuel Primary
15. Nelive N. Gore Primary

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https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/en/exsum.html

Antigua Grammar SchoolAntigua Girls' High SchoolOttos Comprehensive SchoolJennings Secondary St. Mary's Secondary SchoolGlanvilles Secondary SchoolPrincess Margaret School (PMS)...Was, Is and Forever will be the BEST

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Antigua Girls' High SchoolOttos Comprehensive SchoolAntigua Grammar SchoolStmarys SecondaryPrincess Margaret School (PMS)...Was, Is and Forever will be the BESTGlanvilles Secondary SchoolJennings Secondary