Prevention Week to include flash mob, selfie contest

Statement by Deputy Premier and Minister of National Security Michael Dunkley

Good Morning

I am pleased to be here this morning to announce the beginning of National Prevention Week which will be observed May 18th through to May 24th.  Prevention Week is a US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – supported observance that began in September 2011. This initiative provides an opportunity to join with other individuals, organizations, and coalitions in our community to promote prevention efforts, educate others about behavioral health issues, and create and strengthen community partnerships.  The observance emphasizes that prevention should be woven into all aspects of our lives — including where and how we live, learn, work, and play — and that everyone has a role in creating a healthier community.

The National Prevention Week 2014 theme:

I am Prevention: Our Lives Our Life Our Future

As part of the prevention week activities, the DNDC in collaboration with its community partners will visit middle and secondary school students to discuss drug prevention, in an effort to assist students to develop values, skills and knowledge to protect themselves and others from risky situations that may lead to improper and harmful decisions about drugs and alcohol.  Other activities will include an educational mini fair and a Flash Mob in the Washington Mall; discussions via social media, radio talk show appearances and a “Selfie Contest”.  These activities will help to raise awareness and give the community the opportunity to educate themselves about substance abuse prevention, highlight any concerns they may have and discover the available programming in Bermuda to prevent alcohol and drug misuse. . . 

Throughout National Prevention Week 2014, the prevention partners, lead by the DNDC, will promote their respective programmes to schools and the community at large to highlight successful programmes that have demonstrated changes in knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of drug use and antisocial behaviours. We will also recognize and bring light to the work of our community partners who care deeply about creating a better community. The Prevention Partners include: CADA, PRIDE, H.M. Customs, Bermuda Police Service CAT Team, Bermuda Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the Mirrors Programme.

Prevention Week 2014 is also an opportunity to focus on areas that need improvement, such as curriculum-based alcohol and drug prevention education in the school setting and alcohol and drug prevention education trainings for our school teachers.

The mini health fair and Flash Mob will be held on the upper level of the Washington Mall in Hamilton on May 23 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  This will be an opportunity for the general public to learn about prevention and engage our partners about programmes and services that they provide.

Our young people are encouraged to participate in the “Selfie Contest” highlighting them doing positive activities in support of the National Prevention Week 2014 theme of:

I am Prevention: Our Lives Our Life Our Future

Bermuda, we are all aware of the negative impact of drug misuse and abuse in our community and the risks to our young people. Let’s join together during National Prevention Week to raise awareness to these issues, learn about programming available and how we can play a role in sustaining prevention efforts both collectively and individually.