It is widely acknowledged that any effective drug prevention program must have a strong youth focus as young people are among the most vulnerable to the allure of illicit substances. For this reason the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Caribbean regional field office is preparing to launch the United Nations Global Youth Network in the Caribbean in cooperation with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Barbados National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA). 

Beginning Monday, January 20, 2003 at the UN House in Barbados, the UNODC will be hosting a 5-day workshop, which will gather CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, representatives of National Youth Councils and other youth leaders from around the region in order to integrate them into the Global Youth Network.

By incorporating Caribbean representatives into this information sharing system, the UNODC is aiming to increase regional youth involvement in developing international drug abuse prevention policies and programmes, while supplying them with a venue for guidance and discussion.

Through their involvement in the network, youth leaders will be able to share drug prevention plans not only within the Region, but also with youth leaders from as far away as India and Kenya, allowing them to learn from a myriad of experiences and perspectives. 

Promoting more than a typical “just say no to drugs” approach, the Global Youth Network encourages innovative techniques for drug prevention through the dramatic arts, sports and other esteem-building programmes. These methods will be discussed in detail over the duration of the workshop and will be put to use during a site visit to the Deacon’s Development Project for at-risk youth, Tuesday January 21.

Another highlight of the workshop will come on the final day when there will be a variety of guest speeches by well-known drug and crime reduction specialists along with Richard Carter, the Director of Youth Affairs from the Barbados Ministry of Education, who will speak on the influence of music on drugs and crime.

By joining the Global Youth Network, Caribbean youth leaders will soon have a world of knowledge at their disposal and the support of the international community behind them as they move forward in their fight against drugs in the Region.