March 4, 2021
The Substance Abuse Foundation (SAF) is reporting a significant increase in calls to its hotline as Barbadians struggle to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clinical Director of Verdun and Marina House, Allison Gotip, told
Barbados TODAY that since January, the hotline has seen a 25 per cent increase in calls from a cross-section of persons who have complained of feeling suicidal and are having issues managing their addictions. There are also callers who are finding it difficult to stay in the same household with partners and relatives for long periods because of curfew restrictions.
Gotip said during the stay-at-home weekend, the hotline received approximately ten calls from persons threatening to commit suicide.
Convict accepted at Verdun House
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Drug addict Eric Everton Junior Griffith is now in rehab.
Justice Randall Worrell, today released the Durant’s Village, Holder’s Hill, St James resident into the care of officials at Verdun House.
Griffith spent the last few weeks at the Psychiatric Hospital being assessed on his suitability for the programme after previously requesting help. It came after he pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent but guilty of unlawful wounding before the No. 2 Supreme Court.
On his last appearance, Continuing Care Coordinator Kwayne Farrell of the Substance Abuse Foundation informed the court that Griffith was “a suitable candidate” for the programme. However, he first needed the nod of approval from doctors at the Psychiatric Hospital.