KPSM Academy receives training on substance abuse from Turning Point
Philipsburg, St. Maarten (Monday, May 31, 2021) – Turning Point Foundation, leading local authority on substance abuse, addiction, and drug rehabilitation, provided an in-depth training to members of the KPSM Academy on Thursday, May 27.
Police Academy Instructor, Mr. Luc Vahsen reached out to Turning Point to request a comprehensive training on illicit substances in an effort to better prepare the KPSM Academy for drug prevention efforts within St. Maarten’s student population.
Twelve trainees were welcomed by Lloyd J. Richardson, M.D., Founding Member & President of the Board, who provided a brief history of Turning Point. Before leaving to attend other engagements, he touched on the increased demand for rehabilitation facilities due to the effects that Hurricane Irma and the global COVID-19 pandemic had on the economy and the psychological imbalances in individuals which resulted in the noted increase in substance abuse and other addictions.
Mr. Oliver Wilson, Program Manager continued the presentation with introductions of other pertinent leaders of the institution, Mr. Stuart Adams, Social Liaison and Dr. Tasheena Thomas, RN, BSc, M.A., PhD., Senior Counselor & soon-to-be Interim Director of Turning Point.
The training began with participants being shown short ads covering numerous drugs on the market, even in St. Maarten. Educating on the differences between categories such as: gateway drugs, party/club drugs, prescription pills, amphetamines, barbiturates, hallucinogens, Cocaine, narcotics and their associated paraphernalia.
Prevalently used substances reviewed in the training included: Marijuana, Cocaine, Crack, Heroin, Crystal Meth, LSD, Ritalin, Ecstasy, alcohol, synthetic drugs, inhalants, various prescription pills, painkillers and more. In conjunction with the ads, participants were able to view in person life-like representations and paraphernalia of the substances reviewed.
Trainees received informational packets made up of questionnaires to test one’s basic knowledge of drugs as well as 14 booklets each covering a relevant substances.
A featured portion of the training sessions were videos of hard-hitting interviews by real people sharing their personal experiences with drug use. Upon conclusion of the training, KPSM Academy attendees determined that these kinds of candid, real-life experiences might be a significantly more impactful method of reaching the young people here in St. Maarten.
In the final stages of the training, Dr. Tasheena Thomas, RN, BSc, M.A., PhD. provided another pertinent and intriguing presentation focusing on both the short and long term effects of substance abuse, that the Police Academy can use in schools around the island.
A Question & Answer Session concluded the day’s training with Dr. Tasheena Thomas, RN, BSc, M.A., PhD. answering the trainees' insightful questions surrounding the causes of the growth in drug use and other addictions, particularly on St. Maarten, thus intensifying the need for rehabilitation counseling on our islands.
KPSM Academy deemed the training to be informative and constructive, engendering a definite success for Turning Point staff. The day ended with a renewed intent on the part of both organizations to continue strengthening collaborative efforts with “like-minded” organizations as together they combine efforts to foster community awareness on the dangers of drug and alcohol consumption.
Turning Point Foundation Contact Info
Website: www.tpfsxm.com
Email: info@tpfsxm.com
Phone: 1 (721) 527-6492
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