Demand Reduction Objectives
The broad demand reduction objectives as stated in the National Anti-Drug Strategy 2012-2016 encompass action to prevent the first use of drugs, especially by children and youths, to prevent the transition from first use to chronic use, to support the effort of people that abuse drugs to stop by providing appropriate treatment and rehabilitation and to support individuals and families at risk. Additionally it includes the periodic assessment of the prevalence of drug abuse, especially for policy–making and implementation purposes, engagement with the media to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, and invest in training, research and other activities that support the course of action set out in the Strategy
Objective 1:
Establish demand reduction policies with a public health focus that are evidence-based, multidisciplinary and respectful of human rights considering the guidelines and recommendations of specialized international organizations.
Objective 2:
Strengthen the relationship between NADS, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Services, Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture, the University of The Bahamas, independent schools, youth organizations and the media with the goal of raising awareness of the impact of drugs by maximizing the access that these institutions has to a key populations in the drug problem
Objective 3:
Establish a national treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration system for people with problematic drug use, including a human rights and gender-based approach, taking into account internationally accepted quality standards.
Objective 4:
The establishment of treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration programs for persons incarcerated at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) with problematic drug use.
Objective 5:
Strengthen the relationship between NADS and Community Based Organizations & Non-Governmental Organizations with the goal of implementing and managing drug demand reduction programs, focused primarily on treatment and rehabilitation of at-risk youth.
Objective 6:
Strengthen the relationship between NADS and Civil Society with the goal of implementing and managing drug demand reduction programs, focused primarily on treatment and rehabilitation and at-risk youth.