The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the Atlantic. It consists of 700 islands (of which 30 are inhabited) and 2,400 cays. Like many countries in the region, the Bahamas carry enormous health, social, and economic burdens associated with substance misuse.
Consequently, efforts to address this burden should be backed by practical and ethical practices. Accordingly, ISSUP Bahamas is working towards having a professional, well-trained workforce that shares relevant knowledge and evidence-based practices within the substance use workforce.
Our mission is to establish substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery as a unique and multidisciplinary field and consequently be in a position to influence substance use workforce practice and policy in the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region.
Governance of the ISSUP National Chapter in the Bahamas will be under the supervision of its Executive Committee.
The Committee is comprised of the following:
Director - Ms Paulette Dean
Assistant Directors - Ms Brenda Smith (Family Islands), Dr Sean Knowles (New Providence) & Mr Troy Clarke (Grand Bahama and Senior Advisor)
Finance & Fundraising Officer - Mrs Nicole Turner
Prevention Representative & Chairperson - Dr Novia Carter
Secretary & Youth Representative - Ms Darnella Gibson
Assistant Secretary & New Providence Affairs Associate - Ms Ashley Knowles
Assistant Finance & Fundraising Officer - Mrs Julian Sands
Public Relations Officer & Grand Bahama Affairs Associate - Ms Antanisha Mackey
Family Island Affairs Associate & Membership Officer - Ms Eltoya Mchee
Chaplain and Faith-Based Representative - Pastor David Sands