HAITIAN OBSERVATORY ON DRUGSHAITIAN OBSERVATORY ON DRUGS REPORTREPORT

QUALITATIVE SURVEY ON STREET CHILDREN AND QUALITATIVE SURVEY ON STREET CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS ADOLESCENTS

  1.1.            Preparation of data collection Preparation of data collection toolstools

• Five questionnaires were drafted in French and Five questionnaires were drafted in French and Creole to carry out semi structured interviews Creole to carry out semi structured interviews among the five information groupsamong the five information groups

• The questions bore on the following themes:The questions bore on the following themes:

            The substancesThe substances

            The usersThe users

            The contextsThe contexts

• 22.- Recruitment of participants and surveyors / .- Recruitment of participants and surveyors / Description and definition of five information groupsDescription and definition of five information groups

• Street children and adolescents who live in the streetsStreet children and adolescents who live in the streets in thein the neighborhoods of the privately financed centers. A monitor in each of these centers in neighborhoods of the privately financed centers. A monitor in each of these centers in each area accompanied the surveyor during the interventions on the streets.each area accompanied the surveyor during the interventions on the streets.TThere here

were 197 street children, i.e. 189 boys and 8 girls.were 197 street children, i.e. 189 boys and 8 girls. • Professionals – TreatmentProfessionals – Treatment:: was composed of six (6) participants was composed of six (6) participants

distributed as follows: psychiatrist, psychologists, general medical distributed as follows: psychiatrist, psychologists, general medical practitioners, nurse, and social workerpractitioners, nurse, and social worker..

• Professionals from the legal sector:Professionals from the legal sector: Six (6) institutions wee represented Six (6) institutions wee represented in that group: The Minors’ Brigade, the Bureau for the Fight against Drugs in that group: The Minors’ Brigade, the Bureau for the Fight against Drugs (BLTS), the District Attorney’s Office, The General Customs Office (AGD), the (BLTS), the District Attorney’s Office, The General Customs Office (AGD), the Administration of the Penitentiary Institution (DAP) the Bureau of Criminal Administration of the Penitentiary Institution (DAP) the Bureau of Criminal Affairs (BAC).Affairs (BAC).

  

Recruitment of participants and surveyors / Recruitment of participants and surveyors / Description and definition of five information Description and definition of five information groupsgroups

• Professionals –Prevention:Professionals –Prevention: This group consisted in animators coming This group consisted in animators coming from three privately financed centers. For the data collection process, from three privately financed centers. For the data collection process, there was one group per shelter. In total, 17 professionals working at there was one group per shelter. In total, 17 professionals working at privately financed centers answered the surveyors’ questions.privately financed centers answered the surveyors’ questions.

•   Street children in privately financed centersStreet children in privately financed centers:: Three privately Three privately financed centers participated in this study. Two social workers from Institut financed centers participated in this study. Two social workers from Institut de Bien-Etre Social et de Recherches assisted by students at Unversité Jean de Bien-Etre Social et de Recherches assisted by students at Unversité Jean Price Mars conducted the collection of data involving 88 street children and Price Mars conducted the collection of data involving 88 street children and adolescents: 80 boys and 8 girls. adolescents: 80 boys and 8 girls.

• The questionnaires (see annexes) were pre-tested in one of the privately The questionnaires (see annexes) were pre-tested in one of the privately financed centers that participated in the survey.financed centers that participated in the survey.

  

Recruitment of participants and surveyors / Recruitment of participants and surveyors / Description and definition of five information Description and definition of five information groupsgroups

• The animators of the information groups consisted in:The animators of the information groups consisted in:             A lawyer representing the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor A lawyer representing the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor

(MAST); he animated the information group of Professionals of the (MAST); he animated the information group of Professionals of the legal sector;legal sector;

            Two social workers from Institut de Bien-Etre Social et de Two social workers from Institut de Bien-Etre Social et de Recherches (IBSER), who animated the information group of street Recherches (IBSER), who animated the information group of street children in privately financed centers and the information group children in privately financed centers and the information group on preventionon prevention

               Monitors working in the privately financed centers for the Monitors working in the privately financed centers for the

animation of the information groups of street children and animation of the information groups of street children and adolescents who live in the streets.adolescents who live in the streets.

               Two representatives of OHD;Two representatives of OHD;

  33- Procedures and difficulties met- Procedures and difficulties met • the questionnaires were drafted both in French the questionnaires were drafted both in French

and in Creole. and in Creole.

• the interviews however were carried out in the interviews however were carried out in Creole.Creole.

• the target population was 270 street children and the target population was 270 street children and adolescents. adolescents.

• the number surveyed reached 285 children/ the number surveyed reached 285 children/ adolescents and 30 professionals adolescents and 30 professionals

Procedures and difficulties met cont’dProcedures and difficulties met cont’d

• The street children in the business district asked that we gave The street children in the business district asked that we gave them sweets in exchange for their replies, while those in them sweets in exchange for their replies, while those in Petion-Ville asked for money.Petion-Ville asked for money.

• As for Morne l’Hôpital, the surveyors had to go there three As for Morne l’Hôpital, the surveyors had to go there three times as the number of street children and adolescents was times as the number of street children and adolescents was insufficient.insufficient.

  

• The interviews lasted between an hour and a half to two hours. The interviews lasted between an hour and a half to two hours.

• The animators in the privately financed centers had to call back The animators in the privately financed centers had to call back the children being surveyed several times.the children being surveyed several times.

  

  44. - Description of the tools used. - Description of the tools used • The main themes discussed within the information groups during The main themes discussed within the information groups during

the interviews covered:the interviews covered:

•                   Their perception of the consumption of drugs and the Their perception of the consumption of drugs and the problems related problems related

• theretothereto•                   The effects of drugsThe effects of drugs•                   SchoolSchool•                   At risk behaviorsAt risk behaviors•                   Their perception of crime in the community in relation with Their perception of crime in the community in relation with

the use of the use of

• alcohol mixed with gasoline / drugsalcohol mixed with gasoline / drugs•                   Their perception and ideas concerning prevention programsTheir perception and ideas concerning prevention programs

5.Procedures of the analysis5.Procedures of the analysis

  

• Based on the questionnaires and on the audiocassettes,Based on the questionnaires and on the audiocassettes,

•                      The replies were compiled for each information groupThe replies were compiled for each information group                   A preliminary analysis was carried outA preliminary analysis was carried out                   The results were codified then recorded on the NVIVO The results were codified then recorded on the NVIVO

• software based on the list of knots: Substances, users, software based on the list of knots: Substances, users,

• contextscontexts                   Based on the print out of the relationship of the knots, Based on the print out of the relationship of the knots,

the the

• global analysis was conducted. This enabled us to bring global analysis was conducted. This enabled us to bring outout

• the results and to prepare the survey’s report.the results and to prepare the survey’s report.

7.-Reliability of data7.-Reliability of data

• The animators in the privately financed centers helped the The animators in the privately financed centers helped the surveyors by encouraging the street children and adolescents surveyors by encouraging the street children and adolescents answer freely the questions asked. They assured them of the answer freely the questions asked. They assured them of the confidentiality of their answers. These animators did not confidentiality of their answers. These animators did not intervene directly in the surveys during the meetings of the street intervene directly in the surveys during the meetings of the street children and adolescents in order to void that they influence their children and adolescents in order to void that they influence their answers.answers.

  

• In the streets, the children and adolescents felt more at ease In the streets, the children and adolescents felt more at ease when they saw that the animators they already knew when they saw that the animators they already knew accompanied the surveyors. There again they were able to accompanied the surveyors. There again they were able to answer without fear.answer without fear.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Inter American Commission for the Control of Drug Inter American Commission for the Control of Drug Abuse of the Organization of American States (OAS-Abuse of the Organization of American States (OAS-CICAD)CICAD)

• French Observataory of Drugs and Substance French Observataory of Drugs and Substance Abusers (OFDT)Abusers (OFDT)

• Health Observatory of Martinique (OSM), to the Health Observatory of Martinique (OSM), to the Inter Ministerial Anti-Drug Training Committee. TInter Ministerial Anti-Drug Training Committee. T

• French Guyana, Dominica, Gayana, Saint Lucia, St French Guyana, Dominica, Gayana, Saint Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, SurinamKitts & Nevis, Surinam

RESULTSRESULTS

• Survey reveals that the use of Survey reveals that the use of alcohol combined with gasoline is alcohol combined with gasoline is NOT considered an emerging NOT considered an emerging phenomenon or a new trend in the phenomenon or a new trend in the consumption.consumption.

• Some street children admitted Some street children admitted however that they did not know that however that they did not know that this type of drug existed.this type of drug existed.

Results (cont’d)Results (cont’d)

• They make considerable use however of They make considerable use however of psychotropic substances. psychotropic substances.

• This is a public health problem with This is a public health problem with important important

- neurological - neurological - psychiatric - psychiatric - emotional consequences - emotional consequences

for these children and for society.for these children and for society.

Results (cont’d)Results (cont’d)

Street children and adolescents surveyed:Street children and adolescents surveyed:

- between the ages of 8 and 19 between the ages of 8 and 19

- both genders: both genders:

- 269 boys and 16 girls. 269 boys and 16 girls.

* 69% live on the street* 69% live on the street

* 31 live in privately financed * 31 live in privately financed centers centers

Results ( cont’d )Results ( cont’d )

Resources:

wash cars, unload buses, beg, ride bicycles, play cards for money (poker), wash street food vendors’ utensils form gangs of delinquents who steal and

run after buses.

Environment in which drugs Environment in which drugs are takenare taken

• Take drugs togetherTake drugs together

• cigarettes and alcoholic beverages cigarettes and alcoholic beverages comecome

first. first.

• cobblers’ glue, thinner, marijuana cobblers’ glue, thinner, marijuana comecome

in second. in second.

• inhale thinner mixed with gasolineinhale thinner mixed with gasoline

Method of use / AdministrationMethod of use / Administration::

• Drug used :Buzz ,Rock ,Cigarettes, Drug used :Buzz ,Rock ,Cigarettes, Cobbler’s glue,Thinner ,Cobbler’s glue,Thinner , Marijuana + Marijuana + mixturemixture AlcoholAlcohol

• begun taking drugs at a very early age, begun taking drugs at a very early age, eight years old eight years old

• they inhale, drink, smoke throughout the they inhale, drink, smoke throughout the streets. streets.

• particularly like the smell / relaxing effect particularly like the smell / relaxing effect of mentholated cigaretteof mentholated cigarette

Method of use / administrationMethod of use / administration: cont’d: cont’d

• Consumption of drugs varies from Consumption of drugs varies from one neighborhood to another:one neighborhood to another:

• 100% of the population of addicts 100% of the population of addicts smokes; smokes;

• 66.66% inhale the drugs; 33.33% eat 66.66% inhale the drugs; 33.33% eat themthem

Method of use / Method of use / administrationadministration: cont’d: cont’d

• take marijuana in the form of tea, of take marijuana in the form of tea, of gruel or cooked with rice.gruel or cooked with rice.

• pour gasoline over a piece of cloth pour gasoline over a piece of cloth and inhale it. and inhale it.

• Others smoke marijuana rolled in Others smoke marijuana rolled in wrapping paper.wrapping paper.

Sanitary and physical consequences:Sanitary and physical consequences:

• they feel calm, relaxed. they feel calm, relaxed.

• physical discomforts: insomnia, physical discomforts: insomnia, nausea, vomiting, headaches, nausea, vomiting, headaches,

• cramping, liver diseases and even cramping, liver diseases and even spitting bloodspitting blood

• admit having uncontrolled and admit having uncontrolled and unprotected sexunprotected sex

Psychological effects:Psychological effects:

• take drugs in search for pleasure and take drugs in search for pleasure and for sensations.for sensations.

• To forget their living conditions.To forget their living conditions.

• commit acts of violence, rape and commit acts of violence, rape and theft. theft.

• incited to commit murder or suicide, incited to commit murder or suicide, to steal vehicles to steal vehicles

Social consequences:Social consequences:

• viewed negatively in the streetsviewed negatively in the streets

• represent the types of people that represent the types of people that should be taken down. should be taken down.

• steal and sell their bounty at a low price. steal and sell their bounty at a low price.

• are constantly under the threat of are constantly under the threat of arrest.arrest.

• considered as vagrants, thugs, thieves, considered as vagrants, thugs, thieves, they say.they say.

Social consequences: cont’dSocial consequences: cont’d

• are dressed in rags, in filthy clothes.are dressed in rags, in filthy clothes.

• suffer all sorts of horrible physical suffer all sorts of horrible physical punishments like when the soles of punishments like when the soles of their feet are burnt.their feet are burnt.

Perception of users:Perception of users:

• have a clear understanding of what have a clear understanding of what drugs are. drugs are.

• had never used alcohol mixed with had never used alcohol mixed with gasoline. gasoline.

• are aware of the existence of are aware of the existence of prevention programsprevention programs

SUBSTANCESSUBSTANCESComposition of substancesComposition of substances

Solvents / Inhalants:

• inhale contact glue which is a mixture of cobblers’ glue and thinner,

or gasoline, cobblers’ glue alone.• use throughout the day.• short term, cause a slight excitation, tipsiness, dizziness difficulty to articulate, somnolence and hallucinations. • After a long period of use, difficulty seeing, feel anxiety and

become paranoiac

HallucinogensHallucinogens::

• BuzzBuzz, which are dried marijuana leaves, , which are dried marijuana leaves,

• SensimiliaSensimilia leaves which are crushed leaves which are crushed marijuana leaves, marijuana leaves,

• KoyaKoya, which are creepers the leaves of , which are creepers the leaves of which are dried than rolled with marijuana which are dried than rolled with marijuana and carrot leaves.and carrot leaves.

• smoked marijuana leaves are also called smoked marijuana leaves are also called weed, or in Creole Holy Weed, and Grass – weed, or in Creole Holy Weed, and Grass – Digo Grass.Digo Grass.

UpperUpperss

• Bonkalib: name given to the mixture Bonkalib: name given to the mixture of sodium bicarbonate and cocaineof sodium bicarbonate and cocaine

• In the short term, feeling of In the short term, feeling of strength, an increased energy and do strength, an increased energy and do not feel either fatigue or hunger.not feel either fatigue or hunger.

• Juicy Lucy : marijuana and cocaine Juicy Lucy : marijuana and cocaine

DownersDowners

• Alcohol, beer, white rum and other Alcohol, beer, white rum and other alcoholic beveragesalcoholic beverages

• feel physical and mental depression feel physical and mental depression in the middle of the street,in the middle of the street,

• drunk, distracted, and dizzy.drunk, distracted, and dizzy.

Other mixtures:Other mixtures:

• whisky and cocaine , pepper and drugs.whisky and cocaine , pepper and drugs.

• cook rice with marijuana and boil weed in cook rice with marijuana and boil weed in milk.milk.

• plants combined with medicine to obtain a plants combined with medicine to obtain a specific drug called 35 degrees or also 5 stars specific drug called 35 degrees or also 5 stars

• consume marine plants that give them consume marine plants that give them stronger sensations than other drugs. stronger sensations than other drugs.

• feel sleepy have headaches and palpitations. feel sleepy have headaches and palpitations. Others vomit and fell dizzy.Others vomit and fell dizzy.

woodwood

• Its exact composition has not been Its exact composition has not been established, established,

• a mixture of grated nutmeg mixed a mixture of grated nutmeg mixed with marijuana and other with marijuana and other unidentified substances. unidentified substances.

• Its absorption causes hallucinations, Its absorption causes hallucinations, convulsions and makes them convulsions and makes them suicidal.suicidal.

Perception of users – knowledgePerception of users – knowledge::

• have recognized that drugs can kill, have recognized that drugs can kill,

• prompt them to commit acts that are prompt them to commit acts that are prohibited by society, like theft and prohibited by society, like theft and rape rape

• all drugs used for medical purposes all drugs used for medical purposes are accepted are accepted

• drugs like cocaine and marijuana are drugs like cocaine and marijuana are illegal.illegal.

Perception of non-users:Perception of non-users:

• Professionals - treatment : never seen Professionals - treatment : never seen street children and adolescents under the street children and adolescents under the influence of alcohol mixed with gasoline. influence of alcohol mixed with gasoline.

• have seen some isolated cases of have seen some isolated cases of adolescents who have used this mixture. adolescents who have used this mixture.

• Alcohol, sensimilia, crack / cocaine,contact Alcohol, sensimilia, crack / cocaine,contact glue (little rock) are the drugs that cause glue (little rock) are the drugs that cause the most problems. the drugs that cause the most problems. the drugs that cause the mostthe most

Concerning the accessibility of Concerning the accessibility of drugs:drugs:

• To purchase drugs, these children To purchase drugs, these children work in the streetswork in the streets

• Get money from friendsGet money from friends

Small scale traffickingSmall scale trafficking

• use the proceeds from their sales to use the proceeds from their sales to go to school. go to school.

• other option deal drugs in their other option deal drugs in their environment.environment.

CONTEXTSCONTEXTSSocial environmentSocial environment::

• inhale drugs on the middle of the street in small plastic recipients on street corners, under the merchants’ stands. • share a recipient or else they have their own

little bottle. • inhale drugs at all hours of the day. • start very early in the morning and continue until

twilight.

Sanitary context Sanitary context ::

• According to the healthcare workers: According to the healthcare workers: children take an injection shot children take an injection shot between their toesbetween their toes

Prevention context:Prevention context:

• are aware of the existence of prevention are aware of the existence of prevention programs programs

• don’t last long enough and have no follow-up. don’t last long enough and have no follow-up. • Ask for creation of privately financed centers Ask for creation of privately financed centers • recommend to be taught a trade and that recommend to be taught a trade and that

they provided with a jobthey provided with a job• Training in civic education Training in civic education • that in each area, there be at least two social that in each area, there be at least two social

workers workers

Repression contextRepression context

• no penalty for those who use makeshift drugs.no penalty for those who use makeshift drugs.• street children and adolescents who are under the influence street children and adolescents who are under the influence

of drugs should not be jailed but rather be put in a of drugs should not be jailed but rather be put in a rehabilitation center. rehabilitation center.

• some children refuse all change. Some modify their some children refuse all change. Some modify their behavior but are driven off by society. behavior but are driven off by society.

• When they come out of jail, they are not always welcomed When they come out of jail, they are not always welcomed in privately financed centers. in privately financed centers.

• institutions also fear they would exercise a negative institutions also fear they would exercise a negative influence over those who have always lived in the privately influence over those who have always lived in the privately financed centers.financed centers.

• detention centers don’t have any psychologists and do not detention centers don’t have any psychologists and do not contribute to their rehabilitation or their reintegrationcontribute to their rehabilitation or their reintegration

Drug market / drug traffic Drug market / drug traffic network:network:

• Haïti receives a considerable Haïti receives a considerable quantity of drugs from Colombia, quantity of drugs from Colombia, Jamaica and Curacao.Jamaica and Curacao.

• Street children and adolescents are Street children and adolescents are involved in many crimes committed involved in many crimes committed on Haïti’s streets.on Haïti’s streets.

RecommendationsRecommendations

• Establish a surveillance system to Establish a surveillance system to monitor the availability of easily monitor the availability of easily accessible dugs: alcohol, marijuana, accessible dugs: alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, and over the counter inhalants, and over the counter medicine.medicine.

• Create more leisure activitiesCreate more leisure activities• Create new civic education programsCreate new civic education programs• Remove the abandoned children from Remove the abandoned children from

the streets and place them in centersthe streets and place them in centers

Recommendations Recommendations CONT’DCONT’D• Build medical and detoxification centersBuild medical and detoxification centers• Organize awareness, valorization and Organize awareness, valorization and

integration campaignsintegration campaigns• Integrate psychologists in the street Integrate psychologists in the street

children’s centers children’s centers • Develop more drug prevention programsDevelop more drug prevention programs• Reduce the price of schooling, of Reduce the price of schooling, of

healthcare and of food productshealthcare and of food products• Establish vocational schools so that they Establish vocational schools so that they

can acquire a trade and not use drugscan acquire a trade and not use drugs

BARRIERSBARRIERS

• The lack of vision, the lack of The lack of vision, the lack of awareness especially of those children awareness especially of those children who are addicts,who are addicts,

• The lack of investments in families The lack of investments in families and in the communityand in the community

• Neglect and the lack of willNeglect and the lack of will

• The insufficiency of financial The insufficiency of financial resources.resources.

HAITIHAITI THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR

SUPPORTSUPPORT