Saint Lucia is taking bold action to combat an emerging drug trend that poses significant risks to the region.
Key stakeholders from national security, public health, secondary health facilities, and government ministries recently convened a seminar to focus on the Early Warning System (EWS) for Drugs in Saint Lucia.
New psychoactive substances (NPS), which mimic the effects of illicit drugs like cannabis and cocaine, are an urgent concern that necessitates immediate attention.
Natasha Lloyd-Phillips, Coordinator of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat, emphasized the vital importance of the Early Warning System in generating a proactive response to the threats posed by NPS.
“By uniting our agencies, we can respond with agility. We have historically reacted to crises, but this multi-agency, multidisciplinary early warning system empowers us to be proactive and streamline our efforts effectively,” Lloyd-Phillips declared.
This seminar served as a critical platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue, share essential experiences, and enhance their capacity to implement the Early Warning System. This approach ensures readiness to detect and respond swiftly to emerging psychoactive substances.
Launched in October 2024, the Early Warning System for Drugs is an essential surveillance tool that facilitates inter-agency communication and informed decision-making regarding new drug threats.
The benefits are undeniable: agencies will operate in a synchronized manner, ensuring timely public communication and a focused response to threats that endanger communities, particularly vulnerable populations at risk of specific substance use.