The Tragedy of a Small Country: Combatting Substance Abuse and Illegal Drugs
Ann Marie Bissessar

Abstract
This paper is divided along two major discussion points. In the first part of this paper, an overview is presented on the abuse of legal products such as alcohol, tobacco and over the counter drugs. It discusses the prevalence of drug or substance abuse in the country. It then assesses some of the impacts of this abuse on the society as a whole. It concludes this section of the paper by looking at, and assessing, some of the mechanisms that have been introduced in this country to minimize the impact of this kind of abuse. The second part of the paper discusses the prevalence of illegal drugs. In the case of both sections, that on substance abuse as well as the use of illegal drugs, the paper attempts to disaggregate the available statistics according to the ethnic groups in the society. In disaggregating the limited statistics, though, what is evident is that more persons of East Indian descent are prone to substance abuse, while the use of illegal drugs is more prevalent among the African-descended population. The paper offers some partial explanations for the variations in use with respect to substance abuse and illegal drugs by the various segments of the society. The paper also briefly examines the mechanisms that have been introduced by the state to minimize illegal drug use and concludes with an assessment of the various mechanisms.

Full Text: PDF