NO?EVIDENCE?has been presented to indicate that any child who has participated in a National Sports Council (NSC) programme has done so under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.
And according to Assistant Director of Sport at the NSC, Mona Alleyne, in the event that such an occurrence was to arise, the council’s coaches would be in a good position to deal with it.
Speaking to NATION SPORT at a workshop hosted by the National Committee for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency at NSC?headquarters in St Michael, Alleyne admitted that during their annual summer camps, which cater to a large number of children, there had been “one or two children who had displayed erratic behaviour”.
However, she pointed out that this usually stemmed from strained family relations at home, and was quickly addressed.
“Our coaches here at the NSC have so far been spared any such situations. We have not had even one circumstance in which we can say that it was because of drug or alcohol abuse.
“The few situations which we have encountered, when we investigated, we found out that they were being fuelled by bad relations at home, and had nothing at all to do with substance abuse,” she revealed.
Alleyne added that although there had been no cases to date, the NSC was not resting on its laurels.
She said that the annual workshop, which has been going on for over ten years, continued to serve as the ideal preparation for the coaches to ensure they were able to pick up on any behavioural patterns exhibited by children and point to substance abuse.
“This workshop is held to keep our coaches sharp and to ensure that they can quickly and easily identify any deviant behaviour which is displayed by any child,” she said.
“This workshop also helps to teach them how to react to these specific behaviours, and what specific actions they need to take.”
Discipline
Apostle Dr Lucille Baird, who delivered the feature address, lauded the coaches for their efforts in trying to impart discipline and respect into their charges.
She reminded them that because of the amount of time they usually spent with the children, they sometimes assumed the roles of parents while those children were under their watch.
“Your jobs are very hard, especially in these challenging times.
You are parents to these children at times, and you need to have great courage and a good heart.
“Your jobs are not only to teach those children sports, but to also teach them respect and discipline, something which has become increasingly difficult in this society in which we live.”
