Media misrepresented MAD says CEO

Arjoon came under fire from Education Minister Anthony Garcia who said he was disappointed by the CEO’s claim that a drug trade was rampant in primary schools. Garcia said the ministry was never informed about any drug trade at any of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) centres.

However, in a release on Wednesday, MAD said Arjoon did not generalise all primary schools with reference to the term “drug trade” nor did he intimate about any “rampant drug trade” in his address.

The release said Arjoon’s reference to “certain primary schools” was in relation to information reaching MAD. Saying the CEO did not, at any time, refer to the ECCE, MAD said his reference to the far-reaching effects of drug abuse as it related to pre-school level was based on a presentation made at a parenting workshop hosted by a Government ministry and Government agency for stakeholders. During the presentation, a preschool was highlighted where an illegal substance was found in a child’s lunch kit.

MAD said they conducted their drug abuse awareness programme at primary and secondary schools at the request or permission of those schools. They said at no time was any student questioned privately.

The release said any information received in relation to drug or substance abuse or drug trafficking or sale at educational institutions was relayed to the principal or head of said institution.

“Mothers Against Drug Abuse does not wish to be at loggerheads with the nation’s educational governing body, Government ministries or any other educational institution.

The organisation desires to partner with such institutions in helping students to make wise choices based on proper information as it relates to the prevalence of substances affecting the society as a whole.”