NASSAU, The Bahamas - The impact of Substance Use Disorders paired with the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a source of concern for the well-being of our society. As a country, the problem of substance misuse continues to have a gripping effect on the country’s social and health care systems. During the COVID-19 crisis vulnerable and marginalized groups, the youth population and women were disportionately affected.  However, during this pandemic the country’s commitment to improving the quality of treatment and care ensured effective treatment coverage for Substance Use Disorders and strengthened prevention efforts. The Bahamas National Drug Council (BNDC) believes that integrated and well- coordinated treatment systems are an investment in the health of persons who are diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders. In light of the recent pandemic health systems have embraced the need for drug treatment facilities to transform and emerge from this pandemic stronger than when they entered by emphasizing a more team-oriented approach to care delivery and the effective use of evidence-based practices. The BNDC contends that additional collaboration across drug treatment facilities will improve systems in the short-term, and ultimately, set conditions for long-term systemic change.

To commemorate the 2020 observation of the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day), The Bahamas National Drug Council (Ministry of Health) in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),  and the Public Hospital Authority (PHA) will be hosting a webinar session entitled; "Improving Quality of Care in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19".

In alignment with the UN’s theme of Better Knowledge for Better Care, this webinar has two major objectives:

• To sensitize stakeholders to the need to strengthen the network of providers to ensure the dissemination of best practices which will stand as pillars to the effective management of the substance misusing population.
• To improve patient services and to reduce levels of system-wide discrimination and stigma by providing guidance for the development of evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions that are sensitive to the basic human rights of substance misusers.

About The Bahamas National Drug Council

The Bahamas National Drug Council (BNDC) was established by a cabinet mandate in February 1985, charged with responsibility for the development and implementation of drug prevention efforts within The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. As such, The Bahamas National Drug Council is committed to the development of universal and selective prevention, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration programs for the promotion of health and welfare of individuals, families, and communities hence diminishing the unwanted consequences of drug misuse.  BNDC’s remains committed to “Transforming Lives, Empowering Families, Rebuilding Villages” as the Council develops comprehensive drug demand reduction strategies geared towards promoting health and social well.