What Is

DRUG ACTION SERVICE OF THE BAHAMAS

Operational Objectives

Drug Action Services (DAS) was founded in 1984 as a volunteer, non-profit, nongovernmental organization (NGO), whose primary objective is to promote and support a "drug-free Bahamas." From its foundation of a halfway house (Genesis House) and drug interdiction agency, DAS today has evolved into a demand reduction center emphasizing educational programs and community based services.

Under the heading Youth Programs, our "I'm Special" workshops, held in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, today are recognized as our nation's leading program which assist primary school teachers institute the "I'm Special" programs in their specific schools. Under the DAS banner "Every Child In the Bahamas Deserves to be Special," Bahamian students who participate in their school programs learn positive self esteem recognition skills, which enhances their basic character development. Students also learn the value of self-worth, healthy lifestyles and effective group co‑operation. These principles combined with positive self-esteem, motivate students to practice healthy lifestyles, overcome negative peer pressure and anti-social behavioral patterns, such as, drug use, alcohol consumption, smoking and teen pregnancy.

DAS's Community Outreach programs have the objective of extending our education and assistance programs to the Bahamian public-at-large. Since 1984, the DAS Drug Hotline and since 1987 the AIDS Hotline has provided the Bahamian public a one-on-one counseling service operated by trained volunteers. DAS receives daily calls From the public-at-large regarding not only personal, but family concerns regarding drug use and AIDS prevention. Information about private and public assistance and/or support service, are communicated by the Hotline operators in a personal and sympathetic manner. At DAS help is only a telephone call away!

DAS also maintains an active Speakers Bureau as part of our youth and community reach programs. DAS volunteers over the last year have spoken at various service clubs both here in the Bahamas and the United States about drug demand reduction and the importance of ongoing education programs. DAS volunteers have also spoke in the Bahamian school system as well as in the private and public sectors.