Pathfinders
Pastors
Young People of the Gray's Green Community
Parents
Good Afternoon

Today is a very significant day in the life of our Community.

Significant because you the young people have come in your numbers to say no to the evils that can destroy our community.

By being counted among those who say no to violence, drugs, teenage pregnancy and anti-social behaviours; you have distinguished yourselves as true patriots of our community and devoted citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

Pathfinders, once again you have established yourselves as a special group of people - blessed by God.

Having recognized that our community is at a difficult crossroad whereby violence, drugs and other evil activities could engulf us, you immediately mobilized to voice your objections. For this, the entire community is thankful to you for your vision and action.

You are very fortunate young people. You are fortunate to be receiving guidance from worthy teachers. In fulfillment of your pledge as Pathfinders, you have demonstrated that you are prepared to serve others in your community.

You are exemplars to other young Antiguans and Barbudans.

Just as you have seized the opportunity to do something positive, it is my hope that others will emulate your actions and become worthy citizens of our community.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Our young people have spoken. It is our time now to come together and attack the problems facing the community.

Recently, the news has been dominated by the emergence of violence among our young people. The talk of youth gangs is being heard on a regular basis.

The time has come for all of us to work together to address the issues.

It is time for the partnership between the government, the school, the home, the church, community based organizations and the business community to be strengthened to arrest this potentially explosive situation.

Parents must begin to live up to their responsibility and train their children in the way they should grow. The family must become the centre piece for the development of our young people. Parents and adults must become examples to our young people as children learn what they live.

Parents:

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If they live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty. And if children live with ridicule, they learn to ridicule others.

However, if children live with recognition, they learn to be generous. And if theyn live with encouragement, they learn to be good confident citizens.

As parents we must teach our children well.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As leaders within this community we too have a responsibility to play a major role in addressing the issues that plague us.

That is why very shortly I will be assembling the leaders from the community groups and the churches in an effort to come up with solutions and programmes that will be beneficial to our young people.

There are two programmes that I will ask the leaders to consider.

One such programme is called IMPACT (Integrated Methods for the Prevention of Addiction in Children and Teens). This programme will provide educational support groups to teen parents in order to build parenting skills and teach participants how to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles for themselves and their children.

The second programme is called FOCUS (Families Organised for Coping under Stress). This programme will be designed to prevent delinquency, substance abuse, and gang activity. It will also provide advocates and directs families and youths to appropriate community and national services. It will work closely with the National Task Force on Youth Development which will be commissioned tomorrow.

If we all work together, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we can overcome the hurdles that are before us.

It is also my government's intention to engage the police force not only in crime fighting in the traditional sense, but through building police-community relations.

Members of the Police Force, working as community service relations officers will be called upon to also operate in an atmosphere not related to enforcement activities. One of two programmes that will incorporate the Police Force is the Public Education Programme that will educate community members about crime prevention and personal safety to reduce the likelihood of them becoming victims of crime. Topics that will be discussed by the community service relations officers will focus on particular areas of prevention or safety. This will include education on personal safety, child abuse, and home security. The Children's Educational Programme will have as its main objective to minimize the chances of children becoming victims of crime through education and awareness. The programme will address various topics, such as "say no to drugs," and "say no to violence" A uniformed police officer will be made available to speak to children in schools and other settings when requested.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
Another issue that has become of major concern to citizens and leaders of our community is what is known as Knuckle Block. I can assure you this afternoon that very soon knuckle block will be no more.
We have already received the plans for the development of that area into a multi-functional community centre that will provide healthy activities for our young people.
As soon as funding is complete, we will move to demolish that facility and commence construction immediately. I ask for your support on this matter.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Pathfinders Club has ignited the desire to move forward in the interest of our community. Let us grab hold of this drive and move forward as one.
I thank you.

Digital photos by Maurice F. Merchant