On Wednesday, Saint Lucia officially launched an Early Warning System (EWS) to monitor and respond to drug-related threats and trends on the island.
Stakeholders across Saint Lucia and in the Americas collaborated on the project.
Unlike a physical system or software, the EWS is a coordinated network of experts and agencies working together to improve public health and safety through timely alerts and warnings.
A key function of the system is that alerts will be issued when troubling health-related trends are recognised that appear to be related to the use of illegal drugs.
These systems have already demonstrated their value in detecting and addressing emerging drug threats in the Caribbean.
Pernel Clarke, Research Specialist with the Inter-American Drug Control Commission (CICAD), cited cases where EWS in other islands identified and warned the public about dangerous substances.
Clarke told St. Lucia Times, “We have cases where in Barbados, they detected something called synthetic cannabinoids which is being used in the country but the users thought that they were using plain, old cannabis. It wasn’t cannabis. A synthetic cannabinoid is actually a substance made in a lab. It is sprayed on vegetable matter and you smoke it. It is very, very dangerous. There have been deaths reported from use of these substances.”
Clarke continued, “Similarly, in Trinidad and Tobago, they have issued several alerts with respect to ecstasy, ketamine and other substances that have been discovered. They were able to detect them, make an assessment and then issue warnings to their citizens.”
The Early Warning System in Saint Lucia will rely on a robust surveillance structure, sourcing information from various sectors, including clinical practitioners, forensic experts, national security, border agencies, and community-based organisations.
During the official launch ceremony, Ditney Downes, Chief Fire Officer, highlighted a potential benefit of the system, stating that “the introduction of the EWS will provide real benefits to protecting lives and the effective administration of care by our first responders.”
Downes believes the system will directly help reduce the chances of drug and substance-induced illnesses and deaths.
Preparation for the launch in Saint Lucia began with a national workshop in September 2023.
Throughout two and a half days, participants reviewed the system’s functions and components, stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities, and strategies for building a national EWS.
Research Specialist Clarke noted that this workshop set the foundation for the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat to develop protocols and procedures, which ultimately led to the launch of the EWS.
About the initiative, Natasha Lloyd-Felix, Coordinator of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat, emphasised that “the real work actually starts from here… we are working for people, to protect life, to save livelihoods, and to create a better Saint Lucia.”
