CHIEF Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London gave the children of the island three lessons at a schools’ rally organised in recognition of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which was held at the Scarborough Esplanade on Milford Road last Friday.

He was at the time delivering the feature address at the function, which was also used to launch an essay writing competition among primary schools of Tobago on the theme: Drugs are not child’s play.

“I want you to treat with three simple lessons,” remarked London.

“The first lesson is that drugs are destructive to your bodies, the second is that we as adults have a responsibility to care for your well-being and keep you away from drugs.

“The third and most important lesson is that children also have a responsibility to take care of themselves,” he stressed.

London urged his young audience to stay as far away from drugs as they could.

“When we talk about drugs, we are not only referring to marijuana and cocaine but also alcohol,” he declared.

London pointed out that the THA had organised a number of programmes to assist the youth in developing health lifestyle practices.

He identified some of these as Project Pryde, Youth Caravan and Life at the Crossroads programmes.

“None of these would be successful unless you recognise your responsibilities,” noted London.

“In order to protect yourself and live up to your potential and be the best that you can be then you must be able to say ‘no’ and act ‘no’ to illicit drugs in your lives,” declared London.

The event was organised by the National Drugs Council in collaboration with the Tobago Drug Council, with Assistant Secretary for Education Claudia Groome-Duke and Assistant Secretary for Social Services and Albert Pilgrim in attendance.

Following the formalities, children were able to visit a number of display booths on drugs prevention programmes that were set up on the Esplanade.