Attorney-General Freundel Stuart made the observation on Tuesday at the first of the two-day consultation held by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at the Grand Barbados Beach Resort, Bay Street, St Michael.

"Linked to the money-making, is the employment of large numbers of people who earn their living and upkeep, who maintain their families by the gains they make from the employment in that whole process.

"Now, this confronts policy-makers with a huge and very daunting challenge because unless you have alternatives with which to furnish those who are working in the illegal drugs trade, your advocacy is weakened and your persuasive capacity will be undermined," he said as Minister of Home Affairs.

He said Barbados' one blessing was not being a place that produced illegal drugs, although it was a trans-shipment point from South America with the bulk heading to the North Atlantic.

He said the result of the consultation should have implications for the kind of policies framed and put into place to deal with the problem.

In addition, he urged to move away from zero- tolerance and be more realistic and look at a "harm reduction" approach "that targets the hearts and minds of those who are the victims of this scourge . . . and can lead to policy options which lead to realistic and helpful social results".

Meanwhile, UNESCO representative, Virginia Thomas, said evidence suggested that target groups involved in vocational training activities and basic education would be more successful in attaining work in the labour market and generate income in areas such as construction, hair dressing, the performing arts, and ICT sectors.

"Programme beneficiaries should be central to the planing, implementation and monitoring and evaluation process.

"In fact, they should be seen as equal partners; and ongoing consultations and feedback must be sought throughout the project cycle," she charged. (TM)