标签： Barbados

Barbados’ National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) faces significant operational challenges due to severe staffing limitations that hinder its capacity to address the island’s growing need for drug prevention and education services. Deputy Manager Troy Wickham revealed that despite concerted efforts to enhance public awareness campaigns, the organization’s modest workforce of just 19 employees substantially restricts its community outreach capabilities. Among these staff members, only four serve as substance abuse prevention officers tasked with directly delivering drug education programs across diverse community groups. The council’s technical capabilities are further constrained by having merely two research and information officers analyzing local drug trends and two counselors providing essential support services. To overcome these limitations, the NCSA has implemented innovative digital solutions including Zoom, Nearpod, and Canva platforms to conduct virtual sessions reaching broader audiences. These technology-driven initiatives are supported by an evidence-based database ensuring research-grounded prevention messaging. The organization has increasingly relied on trained volunteers who undergo comprehensive 7-12 week training programs covering NCSA’s curriculum, local drug research, and technological delivery methods. As Barbados observes Drug Awareness Month throughout January, Wickham has issued a public appeal for additional volunteers to bolster the council’s community prevention efforts. Despite these adaptive measures, Wickham identified message acceptance as another fundamental challenge, noting that persuading the public to internalize prevention messages remains persistently difficult despite expanded outreach initiatives.

The General Insurance Association of Barbados (GIAB) revealed on Tuesday that insurers have disbursed approximately $184,000 in claims stemming from November’s catastrophic floods, which claimed one life and inflicted widespread destruction across the island. GIAB President Andrea Walton confirmed that 60 total claims were processed through the association’s secretariat, comprising 47 motor vehicle claims and 13 property damage claims.

According to insurance officials, no additional claims are anticipated at this juncture, given that the most severely affected zones were confined to specific regions. The historic deluge, described as the most severe in a decade, resulted in the tragic death of 58-year-old Terry Kellman and caused extensive vehicular devastation, with numerous automobiles either washed away or deemed total losses.

Kellman tragically perished after losing his footing along Lower Estate Road as torrential waters transformed the Charles Rowe Bridge into a raging river. His body was recovered approximately 24 hours after the initial flooding incident.

Anton Lovell, General Manager of Cooperatives General Insurance, provided sobering assessment regarding submerged vehicles, stating that complete write-offs were inevitable regardless of insurance coverage. “When vehicles become fully submerged, recovery becomes impossible. These cases represent total losses—even luxury vehicles like Mercedes suffered irreparable water damage,” Lovell explained in post-flood evaluations.

Despite the devastation, Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams extended commendations to first responders who conducted rescue and recovery operations throughout the night. During damage assessment tours of St. Peter and St. Lucy parishes alongside emergency personnel, Abrahams emphasized the unprecedented scale and velocity of the flooding event.

The Minister detailed particular devastation around Charles Rowe Bridge, where multiple vehicles were swept away—some traveling from as far as St. George Parish Church before accumulating near the Chefette junction. Meteorological authorities confirmed that engineering solutions would have proven insufficient against the extraordinary rainfall intensity, with certain areas receiving up to nine inches (228.6mm) within 24 hours.

Abrahams relayed the Met Office’s professional assessment: “The volume of precipitation within such condensed timeframe would have overwhelmed even world-class infrastructure. Water accumulated in elevated parishes and cascaded downward—our focus must remain on post-event mitigation strategies.”

A significant housing initiative in Barbados is bringing long-awaited property rights to residents of Six Men’s, St Peter, ending decades of legal uncertainty. Government officials have confirmed substantial progress in transferring land titles to families who have occupied these properties for multiple generations.

During a House of Assembly debate on land resolutions, Labour Minister and St Peter MP Colin Jordan announced that approximately 37 properties have been formally surveyed under the Six Men’s Life Improvement Project. This represents nearly half of the homeowner-occupied parcels in the historically disputed area.

“The people of Six Men’s are tremendously happy with the progress,” Jordan stated, emphasizing that residents had lived “in limbo for over 50 years” regarding property ownership. The National Housing Corporation (NHC), operating under the Ministry of Housing, has spearheaded the title transfer process that will finally grant legal recognition to generational occupants.

The minister contrasted the current administration’s approach with previous governments, accusing the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) administration of labeling residents as “squatters” when they attempted to purchase their family lands. Jordan revealed that 37 residents received formal notification letters shortly before Christmas, enabling them to proceed with legal ownership acquisition for lots ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet at approximately $1,400 per property.

Beyond the Six Men’s initiative, Jordan announced upcoming improvements for the Maynard’s Housing Area, including exterior power washing and electrical upgrades. The minister concluded with a strong defense of the housing program, stating, “As MP, I am happy on behalf of the people of St Peter who are benefiting from the work of the Ministry of Housing.”

Barbados vendors are vigorously defending their industry against allegations of complicity in a surge of large-scale agricultural thefts, arguing they’re being wrongly targeted for crimes more likely connected to sophisticated operations supplying major commercial outlets.

The controversy emerges following the theft of approximately 30,000 pounds of yams during the Christmas and New Year period. Significant portions were stolen from both government-managed farmland under the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation and private property belonging to Richard Armstrong, one of the island’s premier root crop producers.

Alister Alexander, President of the Barbados Association of Retailers, Vendors, and Entrepreneurs (BARVEN), firmly rejected attempts to portray vendors as participants in these thefts. While acknowledging the organization cannot vouch for every individual, Alexander maintained that the overwhelming majority of vendors obtain produce through legitimate channels.

“We believe this represents organized crime seeking to offload ill-gotten gains in bulk quantities,” Alexander stated. “Those who have suffered these devastating losses can generally corroborate our position—they continue to be substantially patronized by the vending community.”

At Cheapside Market, vendors demonstrated proactive measures to ensure supply chain integrity. Veteran vendor Nadine Prince emphasized the critical importance of documentation: “We obtain receipts for everything—whether imports from St. Vincent or local purchases. Authorities regularly remind us that proper documentation is mandatory.”

Prince highlighted that suspiciously low pricing serves as an immediate red flag, noting that yams currently retail at approximately $6.50 to $7 per pound. Her philosophy echoes lessons from childhood: “Honesty remains the best policy. I understand the tremendous effort farmers invest in their labor.”

Shelly-Ann Brewster, with twelve years of vending experience, acknowledged occasional informal transactions with small farmers but expressed growing commitment to stricter documentation practices. She described repeatedly turning away suspicious offers, including recent approaches where produce was offered “far cheaper than market price.”

BARVEN advocates for enhanced regulatory measures, particularly the full implementation of the National Vending Bill. Alexander emphasized that comprehensive legislation would prevent thieves from easily selling stolen goods roadside while bringing greater organization and accountability to the sector.

The association continues urging members to report suspicious transactions and embrace collective responsibility: “Be your brother-farmer’s keeper. Praedial larceny constitutes a crime against the entire nation that we all share duty to eradicate.”

A Barbados-based disability-led organization is calling for increased financial support to scale its innovative training initiative designed to foster self-sufficiency among disabled and marginalized individuals. The Love Circle, founded three years ago as an inclusive collective of both disabled and non-disabled members, has strategically pivoted from temporary aid provision to comprehensive skills development after identifying systemic gaps in conventional support structures.

Executive Director Ralbert Ashton explained the organization’s evolution, noting that repetitive assistance patterns revealed the limitations of short-term solutions. “We observed the same individuals returning consistently for food parcels and utility bill support,” Ashton stated. “This cyclical dependency prevented us from extending help to others in need and prompted our transition from handouts to sustainable empowerment.”

Launched in September 2024 at the Barbados Council for the Disabled, the pilot program currently serves 18 participants through practical skill-building workshops. Curriculum components range from artisanal soap and candle crafting to decorative balloon artistry and commercial food preparation—all strategically designed to create income-generating opportunities.

Funding remains the primary constraint for program sustainability. Current support derives mainly from religious organizations including Seventh-day Adventist churches and Beach Church, supplemented by personal contributions from Love Circle members—many surviving on modest pensions themselves. A recently organized fundraising concert yielded limited returns due to insufficient publicity, highlighting the organization’s promotional challenges.

Despite financial hurdles, The Love Circle is pursuing strategic partnerships to enhance program impact. Ongoing discussions with the Small Business Association aim to provide formal business development support for aspiring entrepreneurs, while future collaborations with the Labour Office could institutionalize program benefits.

The organization has already equipped several participants with professional tools and equipment to launch micro-enterprises. With adequate funding, planned expansions include upholstery workshops, winemaking courses, and additional soap-making classes responding to demonstrated community interest.

“The demand for practical skills training is undeniable,” Ashton emphasized. “Our participants have shown remarkable engagement—what we require now is sustained investment to transform potential into lasting economic independence.”

An elderly Barbadian man’s prolonged flooding ordeal has been resolved after public works crews cleared drainage debris linked to a government well installation. Seymour Burnett, 77, of Ashdeane Village, St Michael, had been virtually confined to his home due to persistent floodwaters that created accessibility challenges for the mobility-impaired pensioner.

The breakthrough came after St Michael North West MP Neil Rowe intervened, confirming that leftover materials from a previous contractor’s drainage operations had been completely removed. “I’m pleased to report that the debris has been eliminated, and I extend gratitude to the drainage department for their prompt action,” Rowe stated during an onsite assessment with Barbados TODAY.

On Tuesday, drainage department personnel executed comprehensive remediation work—extracting remaining debris, laying fresh milling material, and regrading the terrain to elevate it above water level. These measures specifically targeted flood mitigation for Burnett’s residence and adjacent properties.

The resolution follows escalating concerns last week regarding Burnett’s living conditions, where recurrent flooding compounded by severe mosquito infestations had created unhealthy circumstances. Local residents attributed these problems to inadequately maintained public drainage infrastructure.

Rowe acknowledged that initial remediation attempts in late 2023 had proven insufficient when a privately hired contractor removed approximately three skip-loads of debris but failed to complete the job. The MP formally apologized to Burnett and fellow residents for the inconvenience caused by these previous incomplete works.

The elderly beneficiary expressed profound relief at seeing conclusive action, voicing optimism that these latest interventions would deliver a permanent solution to the chronic flooding issues that had compromised his quality of life.

Barbados is confronting a concerning evolution in its drug landscape as the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) reports a gradual but significant diversification beyond traditional substances. While marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine remain the predominant choices among Barbadians, new psychoactive compounds have emerged on the island between 2023 and 2025, signaling a shift in consumption patterns.

Troy Wickham, Deputy Manager of the NCSA, revealed during Drug Awareness Month that the council’s surveillance has identified several novel substances entering the local market. These include MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids (specifically MDMB4en PINACA and 4-Fluoro MDMB Butica), and semi-synthetic cannabinoids like hexahydrocannabinol.

The proliferation of these substances transcends statistical data, manifesting in increased treatment facility admissions. Young males under 40 continue to dominate both treatment referrals and encounters with the criminal justice system related to substance abuse. Wickham noted a surge in outreach from educational institutions, families, and communities seeking intervention services during the awareness month, ranging from educational sessions to counseling and rehabilitation.

Despite the NCSA offering free counseling services to all citizens, prevention efforts face substantial challenges. Social stigma surrounding substance abuse discourages early intervention, compounded by an apparent normalization of marijuana use despite its illegal status in Barbados. Wickham expressed particular concern about open marijuana consumption across age groups and genders in public spaces, describing it as a worrying trend toward normalization.

The deputy manager urged heightened vigilance among parents, guardians, and educators, emphasizing the importance of recognizing behavioral and physical indicators of substance use. Warning signs include erratic behavior, aggression, memory impairment, anxiety, and changes in social circles. Physical evidence may include drug-branded clothing, vaping devices, and small zip-lock bags.

Wickham stressed that parental warmth and active involvement constitute crucial protective factors, underscoring that strong familial relationships play a pivotal role in prevention and early intervention strategies.

Authorities have conclusively determined that St Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School is not experiencing a rodent infestation, following a comprehensive investigation into reports of animal droppings discovered on campus last week. The inquiry revealed that approximately 98% of the droppings were attributed to lizards, with the remaining trace amounts linked to cockroaches and mice confined to a single classroom.

The investigation was initiated on January 7th when educational officials alerted the Ministry of Educational Transformation and the Environmental Health Department about potential sanitation concerns. Specialized teams from the Branford Taitt Polyclinic and Vector Control Unit promptly conducted detailed inspections and implemented targeted treatment protocols across the school premises.

Reverend Canon Dr. Sonia Hinds, Chair of the school’s Board of Management, confirmed that environmental health experts found insufficient evidence to warrant full school closure or industrial-scale cleaning operations. The assessment concluded that the findings did not indicate an active infestation scenario requiring drastic measures.

Despite the reassuring conclusions, health officials recommended specific remedial actions which school administrators have committed to implementing urgently. Ongoing baiting procedures and intensified cleaning protocols continued through Monday as precautionary measures. The final update regarding the resolution was formally communicated to stakeholders on Monday evening, providing clarity and reassurance to the school community.