2006 Press Releases

Education Minister The Hon. Hazel Manning, and U.S. Ambassador Dr. Roy L. Austin at computer donation ceremony

On Friday, October 6 United States Ambassador, Dr. Roy L. Austin, donated 10 computers  to the Belmont Boys’ Roman Catholic School on Belmont Valley Road. Minister of Education, The Honourable Hazel Manning, attended the handover ceremony.

The Belmont Boys’ R.C. School which is located in a high-risk area of Belmont, will use the computers to teach the children new skills that will steer them away from crime and drugs.   Parents, guardians and community members will also learn new skills as part of an outreach program being developed as a positive alternative for their community.

The computer donation is part of the U. S government International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Demand Reduction Program.  This strategy seeks to reduce drug abuse directly through prevention and treatment.  The need for demand reduction is obvious since escalating drug use and abuse continue to take a devastating toll on the health, welfare, security, and economic stability of all nations. As a result, foreign countries are increasingly requesting technical and other assistance from the United States Government to address their demand problems, citing long-term U.S. experience and efforts in this area.  

The United States Government through the Embassy continues to work with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and non-governmental agencies in various capacities to improve the quality of life for its citizens by providing equipment and training in areas such as demand reduction.