What We Do

The National Drug Unit carries out activities relating to treatment, rehabilitation, public awareness, school programmes, outreach programmes, one on one counseling, couples counseling, along with weekly support groups.

Access to Treatment and Rehabilitation

People with drug abuse problems come from all walks of life and have different needs. The National Drug Unit of the TCI offers help and support to everyone. However there are criteria’s that need to be met before persons can be sent of Island to a rehabilitation center.  Our treatment service is therefore tailored to each client. The treatment and rehabilitation process begins with the early detection of drug use.  Hence we have drug support meeting to prepare persons to be sent of to rehab.  The process includes all stages of rehabilitation leading to eventual reintegration into society. The following steps are regarded as essential:

• Early detection and access to services needs to be facilitated for some addicts.  This is best accomplished through primary health at the clinic, your doctors’ recommendation, family and or friend, accompanying the user who wishes to make changes to his/her life.
• Outreach programmes are very necessary and are operated to reach the many drug users who are not in contact with any medical clinic or drug unit center. The National Drug Unit operates a flexible and unconventional approach, aimed at accessing, motivating and supporting drug abusers; it can reach drug users who are reluctant to come to the drug support groups or the drug unit, thereby increasing access and reduce illicit drug-use behaviour.
• Detoxification is community-based (i.e. non-residential) detoxification can sometimes be supported by the clinic, for a small minority who are likely to experience severe withdrawal and associated medical complications.   
• Counselling is a very important component of treatment. The drug unit offers one to one counselling.  This is also the first step towards rehabilitation and eventual social reintegration. Involvement of the family and mobilization of the community contribute significantly to long-term treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
• Social reintegration.  The drug unit works with individuals, their families and the community, facilitating the re-entry of former abusers into the work-market which is a necessary component of rehabilitation.

The Prison programme: The Prison programme’s objective is to help immates improve their self-esteem, along with supporting inmates to live a drug free lifestyle. Often these individuals must cope with drug addiction and inadequate access to treatment, insufficient education, few job skills and a lack of housing when they leave the prison system. They may have to return to a neighborhood characterized by violence, a high incidence of drug use and an open- air drug market. These social problems exacerbate drug addiction and make recovery more difficult to achieve an sustain. The rehabilitation officer/counselor visits the prison four times a week, runs support group meetings, and carries out one on one counseling.

The community outreach programme: The community outreach programme educates the public about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. We aim to assist in preventing the spread of drug abuse and trafficking, by highlighting the harm attached to drug use. We promote healthier choice like sports and reacreation centers. The Unit talks to parents about drug awareness and the signs to look for, along with being more involved in their children’s daily life.

The education programme: The education programme provides anti-drug literature, posters and pamphlets throughout the community. We work along with schools, youth groups, churches and ethnic minority groups. Promoting early intervention, developing knowledge and social skills to prevent illicit drug use, and to promote healthy living among the youth. The at risk programme aims to education school children on the dangers they face if they continue to use drugs.

Individual counseling: Individual counseling is also provided to our clients and their immediate family as an integral part of treatment and support. We aim to provide support as needed to create changes in behaviour and life style. We provide knowledge about stress and anger management, and support in relapse prevention. Support is also given to families and friends of drug users. Immediate family and friends play a vital part of the treatment and support for addicts. Involving family members may help our client to avoid drugs and stay clean. A parent or significant other is encouraged to attend support group meetings when possible.

Support groups: The Drug Unit runs weekly support groups for men and women who had or have a drug problem. It is a place for recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other to stay clean. There are no fees. The only requirement for membership is to the wish to stop using. The facilitator / counselor enourages the 14 step recovery programme participation, which simply put is to turn your over to a greater power. This has been the first step to aiding recovery. The facilitator will also make referrals for any needed medical treatment, psychiatric, and help with employment.
You don’t have to be clean when you arrive, but the hope is that the support groups will help you make the first step in getting clean.

The Drug Support group meets on Monday and Thursday from 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm at the National Drug Unit Downtown Providenciales next door to Emigration at Sam's Place Building. For further information please call the Drug Unit 649 946 - 2801 ext. 82500/1/2/3/4/5 Monday – Thursday. 8:00am -4:30pm Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm

AA Meetings: AA meetings take place in Providenciales Sunday & Tuesday at National Drug Unit from 7:30pm- 8:30pm, Thursday at St Monica Church Leeward Highway at 6:30 pm. For further information please call Ms. Derin Longmire 649 232 1029.