National Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Programme Programme The National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme (NADAPP) has been established by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to coordinate its drug abuse prevention initiatives and to foster and facilitate the efforts of the several non-governmental institutions involved in the struggle to rid the nation of the scourge of drug abuse. History In 1971, a survey conducted by the Pantin Commission of Inquiry indicated, inter alia, that marijuana was a drug abused by the school age population, particularly those between the ages 15 and 20, and that 31% of the young people in youth groups were using marijuana. Subsequent to this report, a number of other reports documented the prevalence of drug abuse in the country. Among the reports that outlined the severity of the problem was the 1985 Report on Alcohol and Drug Prevalence (A Proposed Plan of Action). Based on the recommendation of this latter report, the National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme was approved by Cabinet in 1985, formally instituted in 1986 and a Secretariat established in November 1988. NADAPP is a division in the Office of the Prime Minister, Social Services Delivery. It has been established as 'The Drug Demand Reduction Agency'. Its mandate includes coordinating drug abuse prevention initiatives and fostering and facilitating the efforts of the non-governmental organizations involved in the thrust against drug use and substance abuse. NADAPP's goal therefore is to reduce both licit and illicit drug abuse through a preventative approach. This involves informing the public of the health and social consequences of substance abuse as well as the benefits of adopting healthy lifestyles. Structure See Organisation Links & Structure

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