The 2019 report of the Barbados Drug Information Network (BARDIN) released earlier today, shows that Barbados is still waging a major battle against marijuana use, particularly among men under the age of 40.
However research assistant at the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) and member of the BARDIN research team, Laura Foster, sounded a note of warning about the small but significant use of more lethal drugs which was also revealed in the research.
Foster said analysis of the 2019 data with regard to drug offences recorded during the year, showed that the vast majority – about 85 per cent – were marijuana-related, while 13 per cent were related to cocaine.
“What is most noticeable here is that small amount of data coming in with regard to Ecstasy, Metamphetamine and Alprazolam. Again we are seeing that slow diversification. It may be small but it is coming in,” Foster said.
The BARDIN research team was headed by Dr Jonathan Yearwood, research and information officer with the NCSA.
Remarking on the report, acting Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams said it was evident Barbados was still very much engaged in the battle to combat drug use and abuse, particularly among males under the age of 40.
“It also confirms the fact that marijuana is one of the main substances of choice within this group,” Abrahams said while also noting the data indicated that young men in Barbados continued to use marijuana at a very early age. (GC)
