What is the National Drug Council?
The National Drug Council (NDC) is an independent statutory body set up under the National Drug Council Law, 1997 to co-ordinate anti-drug measures in the Cayman Islands. The National Drug Council consists of 13 council members and an office which serves as the secretariat.
Functions
- To keep under review the situation in the islands with respect to the abuse of drugs.
- To formulate and develop drug prevention and rehabilitation policies and programmes.
- To advise the Minister on drug prevention and rehabilitation policies and programmes; the licensing and operation of treatment and rehabilitation centres; drug supply control measures; and law reform relating to the misuse of drugs.
- To educate the public, particularly the young, on the dangers of drug abuse, and to initiate, sponsor and support conferences, seminars, and meetings related to drug abuse.
- To promote and support training in the field of Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation.
- To promote and encourage the establishment of a system to coordinate the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers and the care of persons associated with drug abusers.
- To establish and operate treatment centres.
- To conduct research into, and develop and maintain a database of information on drug abuse in the islands.
Our Staff
Executive Director – Joan West-Dacres' role includes responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the NDC's Office.
She initiates and maintains contact with all designated community organisations as a representative of the NDC, resulting in increased understanding of and support for the NDC mission.
She encourages and initiates contact with and exchanges of up-to-date information between local, regional and international organisations.
Prevention Officer – Simon Miller's role includes the provision of prevention, education and training services to schools, community groups, business and industry, parents, local government and the recovery community in both private and public agencies and organisations.
This is combined with the development, design and implementation of specific interventions with partner and stakeholder agencies and through coordination of the dissemination of prevention education information to key leaders, schools, youth service providers, and the public.
Research and Information Officer - Luisa McLaughlin is primarily responsible for establishing and maintaining a database consisting of substance abuse indicators intended to keep under the review the situation with respect to drug abuse in the Islands, interfacing with field operators and the wider community; collecting and analysing data collected from reliable sources; and documenting results.
She implements specific research initiatives of NDC, facilitates access to information by assisting members of the public to formalise their request requirements.
Our Mandate
The NDC's mandate is to provide policy advice, information, develop programmes and conduct research in the following key areas:
- Education, in particular young people
- Prevention
- Treatment & Rehabilitation
We do this through:
- Conferences, seminars and meetings related to drug abuse
- Studies, reports and other documentation on drug abuse
- Information systems and databases on policies, programmes and research on drug abuse
- Information on the availability and supply of drugs likely to be abused
- Legislation relating to the misuse of drugs
Our Goal
The National Drug Council (NDC) is dedicated to the eradication of substance abuse in the Cayman Islands and to co-operating with Foreign Governments and Agencies in order to facilitate a more effective address to global trafficking of illicit drugs. The goals and objectives of the NDC are realised through a fully integrated approach to substance misuse and abuse, which brings the community of thought to bear on its planning, operations, research, and programmes as mandated by the Cayman Islands National Anti-Drug Strategy.
Mission Statement
"The Mission of the NDC is to formulate, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the National Anti-Drug Strategic Plan based on proactive, creative and research driven strategies in collaboration with public and private sector organisations and in accordance with the provisions of the NDC Law."
