NDACC Launches Anti-Drug Initiative for Security Forces in Orange Walk

The National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) is promoting healthy coping mechanisms for Belize’s security forces through an outreach initiative. Yesterday, the NDACC held a session of its “Defend Your Strength, Choose Resilience Over Drugs” program with officers in the Orange Walk district. Alfred Anderson, Orange Walk Coordinator NDACC, said the first cohort for the program was police officers to offer support due to the high levels of stress associated with their job. Anderson, who designed the program, said that drug use is a common factor in situations where police officers are cited for misconduct, and he felt something had to be done.

Anderson said that officers also got blood pressure, glucose level, and other health checks at the session. The NDACC is preparing for a countrywide rollout of the program, and will include personnel from the Belize Coast Guard and Belize Defense Force in future sessions.