Concern Grows Over Youth Polydrug Use in Barbados

A surge in mixed-drug use among young people, involving over-the-counter medicines and illicit substances, is causing serious concern at the highest levels of government, as a minister warned in the House of Assembly on Tuesday of dangerous health consequences and expanding illegal supply routes.

Minister of People Empowerment Adrian Forde said the administration, particularly Prime Minister Mia Mottley, has been losing sleep over the pattern of substance abuse among youth that has shifted towards a dangerous mix of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and illegal drugs.

‘Polydrug use’ refers to the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another. It can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.

“The poly-drug usage is causing sleepless nights for a lot of us, especially as MPs, members of cabinet,” Forde declared. “I think it causes sleepless nights for the prime minister. The various drugs now, and the new drugs being used by not only adults, but the new advanced drugs being used and combinations by our young people.”

Forde pointed to a growing, largely unregulated trend in which young people bypass pharmacies, using mobile phones and the internet to research and mix potent substances.

“Here we have in this country a culture now creeping in where young persons are taking medication over the counter,” Forde said. “They go to a lot of non-pharmacies. They ain’t getting advice from the pharmacist, but because they have this cell phone, they have internet, they’re going and research different drugs, the different combinations, how to do this and how to do that.”

He also highlighted a trend involving cough syrups containing codeine phosphate, which are being bought off the shelf and mixed with soft drinks and sweets to create a substance known as “lean”.

“What those young people are doing now is taking those things, mixing them with Sprite and what’s not, Jolly Ranchers and calling it ‘lean’,” Forde told the House. “Well, they lean themselves into trouble… the ones in Barbados, young people leaning not only on the side, they leaning upside down because after they’re taking these products, they can’t remember the activities that they are involved in. I believe that this is one of the biggest fights that we must now, as a country, come together and unite and fight against the polydrug use by persons in Barbados.”

He also drew attention to illegal imports, saying synthetic stimulants are entering Barbados disguised as supplements.