Basseterre, St. Kitts — The St. Kitts and Nevis National Council on Drug Abuse Prevention (NCDAP) has marked a major milestone in the Federation’s prevention and education efforts with the official integration of the “Living Above the Influence” Primary School Substance Education Programme into the Grade Four curriculum across all public and selected private primary schools in St. Kitts.
Developed by the NCDAP, Living Above the Influence represents the Federation’s first standardised, evidence-informed substance use education and prevention initiative to be embedded within the school curriculum. Grounded in prevention science, best practices, and local educator feedback, the programme is designed to build resilience, strengthen decision-making skills, and encourage positive lifestyle choices among children aged 8 to 10 years.
The revised second edition of the programme manual underwent clinical review by Counselling Psychologist Mrs Michele de la Coudray Blake. It was formally approved for integration into the curriculum by the Ministry of Education’s Curriculum Development Unit.
Training Educators for National Rollout
In preparation for nationwide implementation, the NCDAP hosted a two-day training session on October 20–21, 2025, for 50 Grade Four teachers and primary school guidance counsellors at the Customs and Excise Conference Room, Bird Rock.
The training is being led by Mrs Karimu Byron Caines, Director of the NCDAP, and Ms. Ishelle Huggins, Drug Misuse and Abuse Prevention Officer. Participants are being introduced to the programme’s interactive twelve-session curriculum, which blends substance education, life skills, and social-emotional learning strategies to help students make healthy, informed decisions.
Building a Movement for Early Prevention
Speaking at the opening of the training, Director Karimu Byron Caines underscored the transformative nature of the initiative:
“This is more than a curriculum; it is a movement. Through this programme, we are planting seeds of confidence, self-worth, and resilience in our young people long before risky behaviours take root. Our teachers and guidance counsellors are the true change agents leading this charge.”
The Living Above the Influence programme has already attracted regional and international recognition, earning commendation from the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organisation of American States (OAS) during its Demand Reduction Expert Group Meeting in August 2025. Several Caribbean territories have since expressed interest in adopting the model as a best practice in early prevention education.
Ministry of Education Endorses Collaborative Effort
Mrs. Sasha-Gay McDermott, Coordinator of Guidance Counsellors at the Ministry of Education, praised the initiative, emphasizing its importance in shaping healthier generations:
“This collaborative training, in partnership with the National Drug Council Secretariat, marks a pivotal step in equipping our Grade Four teachers and school counsellors with the tools to deliver impactful, age-appropriate substance use prevention education. Through the Living Above the Influence programme, we are empowering our children early with the knowledge and values needed to make positive, informed choices.”
As implementation progresses, the National Council on Drug Abuse Prevention reaffirms its commitment to ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and technical support to ensure programme fidelity and long-term impact in promoting a drug-free future for the nation’s youth.