The National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) in Barbados recently held a graduation ceremony for its 22nd annual Project S.O.F.T. (Safeguarding Our Future Today) camp on September 7th, 2024. This year, over 40 young participants successfully completed the program, which aims to equip students transitioning from primary to secondary school with essential life skills and substance abuse prevention education.
NCSA Chairman Hadford Howell commended the camp’s staff and participants for their dedication, highlighting the program’s enduring impact since its start in 2002. He emphasized that although the name “S.O.F.T.” might suggest ease, the program’s work is challenging but rewarding.
This year’s camp activities included drug education, team-building exercises, and life skills training, preparing the students for the obstacles they may encounter in secondary school. Howell also shared words of wisdom with the graduates, using the acronym “PEARL” to guide them in the future: resisting Peer Pressure, drawing on family Experiences, being Ambitious, Responsible, and Listening, Learning, Leading, and Loving as they move ahead in life.
With over 700 youth positively influenced by Project S.O.F.T. over the years, the NCSA remains committed to fostering youth development and anticipates that some graduates will return to the camp as mentors in the future.