I'M SPECIAL

February 2001 Table of Contents

I'M SPECIAL

The Drug Action Service, in conjunction with The Bahamas National Drug Council, the Special Services Division of the Ministry of Education, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Royal Bahamas Police Force held an "I'm Special" training of trainers session at Central Abaco Primary School from 8th to 10th January. The aim was to make Abaco primary school teachers aware of the importance of making every child feel special and therefore more likely to resist the temptations of drug use. The effort is a subordinate of the Drug Free Achievers programme whereby young children come to realise how special each individual life is and to identify things that are important to them and others.

At the closing ceremony it was obvious that the participants had really bonded and were inspired to put into effect the strategies and information they had absorbed. The seventeen teachers were admonished by William Weeks, Co-Chairman of the National Drug Council, to put what they had learned into good use to save young lives from the despair of drugs. Mr Jeff Dennis, Co-Vice President of Drug Action Services put matters even more strongly: "This is a war, and a war we must and will win."

District Education Superintendent Jackson McIntosh thanked all the facilitators and co-ordinators on behalf of the Abaco community and offered words of encouragement to the successful teachers. Candice Key from Hope Town School responded on behalf of the participants. Deputy Superintendent Felamease Sawyer presented certificates to the teachers.

Special thanks went to NDC member Ruth Pinder for her invaluable assistance in making arrangements so that the training programme ran smoothly. Sponsors of the programme were Super Clubs Breezes, Scotiabank, Ministry of Education & Youth and the Lyford Cay Foundation. In addition, many businesses, government departments and individuals were thanked for their contributions towards the effectiveness of this important enterprise on behalf of our children.

February 2001 Table of Contents