Category Archives: Bahamas

John Rolle, the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahamas, has shared some updates on the rollout of the Bahamas central bank digital currency (CBDC) which went live in October 2019.

Also known as the sand dollar, the currencys motivations are to promote financial inclusion, modernise the payment system, and make private wallet systems interoperable.

A key goal of the Sand dollar is to be accessible and not to exclude users based on technology. Therefore, the currency is available on a smart card, not just smartphones, to help with the elderly. At the other end of the age scale, children often run errands and have pocket money, so they need to have access to digital cash. However, minors must get consent from their parents.

The combination of identity and minors also highlights the importance of privacy. The penalty for confidentiality breaches by wallet providers or others is USD 50,000 or up to three years in prison, or both, according to Ledger Insights.

The currency is not anonymous, so users must go through standard bank-grade know your customer (KYC) processes. However, not everyone has a photo ID thats needed for a bank account. So, a lower access tier only requires an email address or phone number, allowing balances of up to USD 500 and USD 1,500 in transactions per month. With full KYC, a person can hold up to USD 8,000 digitally.

Another key advantage of the digital currency is interoperability between mobile payment apps. Initially the apps can allow users to use the Sand dollar within their walled garden. Going forward, the wallet providers will be required to allow balances to be transferred to other mobile wallets.

While the Bahamas is progressing its rollout, others in the region are looking to catch up. The Eastern Caribbean has launched its pilot, and Jamaica recently announced plans as well. To learn more about CBDCs, download our ebook Central Bank Digital Currencies for Beginners A Quick Guide into CBDCs.

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Central Bank of Bahamas shares updates on Sand dollar CBDC progress - The Paypers

Dear Editor,

On April 6, 2021, I lost a very dear friend and mentor. He was a giant of a man; a fearless fighter for inclusion, justice, equality, and opportunity for all, no matter where you were from. Congressman Alcee Hastings was a voice for those without a voice and his impact on my life and the lives of many others will be long-lasting.

Congressman Hastings has been an inspiration and a model as a public servant. His support of the tourism industry and black hotel ownership did not stop when he appointed me to the White House Conference on Tourism during the Clinton administration. He made sure that the Congressional Black Caucus supported the National Association of Black Hotel Owners and Developers (NABHOOD) workshops and seminars on Capitol Hill. His support as a participant and speaker at our summits contributed greatly to my success and the success of the organization. He was also a great supporter of The Bahamas and from his first visit with me over 20 years ago to his last visit this past year, he always looked for opportunities to help. On his last visit, he met with local leaders in government and business, including the director general and permanent secretary of tourism; Brave Davis, leader of the opposition; Sir Franklyn Willson; and United States Embassy personnel. He dined at Fish Fry, where both he and his wife enjoyed our local cuisine. As a lasting commitment to his legacy and friendship, we are going to name the Bahamas Preclearance Center at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport The Alcee Hastings Bahamas Clear Center.

On behalf of NABHOOD and his many friends in The Bahamas, I want to personally extend our deepest sympathies to Congressman Hastings wife, Patricia, my college professor; son Jody; his entire family; and staff. Congressman Hastings was a leader who fought to create jobs and provide greater economic opportunities for all.

He was a true international leader and a blessing to our entire community, particularly The Bahamas. Goodbye, my friend, and thank you for the many opportunities and memories. May you rest in peace.

Andy Ingraham,

Founder/president/CEO,

National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers

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Letters to the Editor: A dear friend of The Bahamas dies - EyeWitness News

We have in hand the solution for what ails usHealth minister notes govt seeking to procure more vaccines, including from Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Just over 10,000 people have been vaccinated in The Bahamas to date, according to Minister of Health Renward Wells.

The country received 33,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the World Health Organization (WHO)/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) COVAX Facility, last week, shoring up the nations supplies since it received 20,000 doses as a donation from India last month.

Wells said with the additional vaccines in-country, Bahamians are urged to continue to register to take it.

We are around 10,000 persons having been vaccinated, he said.

We have 53,600 doses of the vaccine and we are looking to get all of that into circulation.

The health minister noted that people have been signing up en masse and even calling him over the lack of appointments until May.

He said officials are looking to open additional vaccination sites to make sure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated can be and to combat potential further increases of COVID-19 cases.

While vaccinations were suspended over the holiday weekend, they are set to resume on New Providence and Grand Bahama today.

Doses of vaccines have begun to be administered on Eleuthera, and Abaco and Bimini are expected to begin inoculations this week.

Wells advised that to date, there has been no evidence of new strains of COVID-19 in the country from the 30 viable samples sent away to be tested earlier this year.

He noted that additional samples will be sent to a lab in Trinidad with a two-week turnaround time, to get a better sense as to whether there is a variant.

He added, however, that vaccines including Pfizer, Moderna and others have been proven effective against the variants as well.

We have in hand the solution for what ails us that is the vaccine, he said.

While he could not give a timeline, Wells said the government is seeking to secure additional types of vaccines, including the Johnson and Johnson one-jab vaccine.

He added: We are going to have our ultra-low-temperature storage refrigerator in-country at the beginning of May, which is in about a month, so we will be able to bring Pfizer in-country if we need to.

But we also have facilities in-country now where we can store Pfizer if we were able to access it.

Healthcare workers, residents over 60 and staff of the uniformed branches are currently eligible to take the vaccine.

The prime minister has said those with disabilities, teachers and hospitality workers will become the next eligible groups to receive the vaccine.

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ON THE BANDWAGON: More than 10K people in The Bahamas vaccinated against COVID so far - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Murders for the first quarter of 2021 rose sharply compared to the same period in 2020, according to an analysis of Eyewitness News records.

There were 28 murders in The Bahamas up to March 31 24 on New Providence, two on Abaco, one on Grand Bahama and one on Eleuthera.

A total of 18 murders were recorded between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2020.

There were nine murders in January, 10 in February and nine murders last month.

Last year, there were six murders in January, seven killings in February and five in March.

This represents increases month-on-month of 50 percent, 43 percent and 80 percent respectively.

Murders are also up 47 percent over the 19 murders recorded up to March 31, 2019; and eight percent over the 26 murders recorded up to March 31, 2018.

There was a total of 73 murders in 2020 the lowest on record in 15 years.

There were 95 murders in 2019, a four percent increase over the 91 murders in 2018 the lowest in almost a decade at that point.

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames has acknowledged that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in months of closures, curfews and lockdowns last year, impacted criminal activity.

The latest killing in The Bahamas occurred on Friday.

This marked the 29th murder for 2020.

A man was shot dead on Kemp Road around 1pm.

Police yesterday identified him as Jahfine Osias, 30.

According to police, Osias was driving a Nissan Cube when the driver of another vehicle stopped in front of him, exited and shot him multiple times.

Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters said there was no indication the shooting was gang-related.

He said police were following positive leads on the matter and hope to bring the matter to a close as soon as possible.

In addition to 2015, when there were 146 murders the highest recorded there have been murder records in 2007 (78), 2009 (85), 2010 (94) and 2011 (127).

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KILLINGS ON THE RISE: Murders up 56 percent in Q1 - EyeWitness News

DALLAS (AP) Wayne LaPierre flies exclusively on private jets, he sailed around the Bahamas for security and he never sends emails or texts in the course of his work running the nations most politically influential gun-rights group.

LaPierres testimony this week during the National Rifle Associations high-stakes bankruptcy trial offered a rare window into the work and habits of the notoriously secretive titan of the American firearms movement.

Seldom seen in public outside choreographed speeches and TV appearances, the 71-year-old was blunt and occasionally combative under lawyers questioning. He took the virtual witness stand in a federal case over whether the NRA should be allowed to incorporate in Texas instead of New York, where the state is suing in a separate effort to disband the group over alleged financial abuses.

LaPierres testimony revealed him to be an embattled executive defending his leadership and punching back against what he characterized as a political attack by New York Attorney General Letitia James. But he also tried to acknowledge enough mistakes and course corrections to avoid having the NRAs reins handed to a court-appointed overseer a move he said would be a death blow to the 150-year-old group that claims 5 million members.

The NRA declared bankruptcy in January, five months after James office sued seeking its dissolution over allegations that executives illegally diverted tens of millions of dollars for lavish personal trips, no-show contracts and other questionable expenditures.

The NRA contends that its Chapter 11 filing is a legitimate maneuver to facilitate a move to a more gun-friendly state, Texas, and was made necessary by a Democratic politician who has weaponized her states government. Lawyers for James office, meanwhile, say its an attempt by NRA leadership to escape accountability for using the groups coffers as their piggybank.

LaPierre appeared on camera before a court in Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday and was grilled by lawyers for New York and Ackerman McQueen, an Oklahoma City-based advertising agency that says the NRA owes it more than $1 million.

The questioning has focused on LaPierres management of the NRA and the legitimacy of his filing for bankruptcy without first informing most of the groups top executives and its board.

On Wednesday, a lawyer for New York asked why the states investigation had turned up no emails or text messages from LaPierre.

Im old fashioned, he replied. I havent sent any emails or texts.

The allegations of financial abuses and mismanagement have roiled the NRA and threatened LaPierres grip on power. Political infighting spilled out in public during the NRAs 2019 annual meeting, where its then-president Oliver North was denied a second term. Tensions also eventually led to the departure of a man whod been seen as LaPierres likely successor, Chris Cox, who headed the groups lobbying arm.

To be sure, its not unusual for chief executives of organizations the size of the NRA to travel by private plane or live lifestyles beyond the means of most people. But LaPierres alleged misspending of NRA membership dues came even as the group was urging supporters to donate so that it would have enough cash to battle gun control efforts.

Board members and former NRA leaders who support LaPierre didnt respond to requests for comment or referred questions to the NRA. Others who are skeptical of LaPierres leadership said the trial has only reaffirmed their concerns.

Im looking for the next Wayne, said Phillip Journey, a board member and Kansas judge who is set to testify during the trial next week. This cant go on forever.

LaPierre said Thursday that he kept the bankruptcy secret from the full board because he was worried that someone on it would leak the plan. We were very concerned, he testified.

He also said he was within his authority to file for bankruptcy with only the assent of the boards three-member special litigation committee, he attacked James and New Yorks financial regulator as corrupt, and he repeatedly strayed beyond the bounds of yes or no questioning to defend his record.

LaPierres efforts to explain his actions led to opposing lawyers moving to strike from the record much of what he said after nearly every question. He occasionally raised his voice and his expansive answers drew repeated warnings from his own attorneys and the judge.

Can you answer the questions that are asked and do you understand that Ive said that to you more than a dozen times in the last two days? Judge Harlin Hale asked LaPierre on Thursday.

I understand your honor, he replied. I apologize if Ive gone too long.

LaPierre also, however, showed moments of regret and referred repeatedly to the NRAs self-correction.

For instance, he defended summer sailing in the Bahamas on a large yacht he borrowed from a Hollywood producer who has done business with the NRA. LaPierre said the family trips were a security retreat, noting that some came as he was facing threats months after mass shootings.

But he acknowledged that not mentioning the voyages on conflict-of-interest forms which New Yorks lawsuit contends violated NRA policy was an oversight.

I believe now that it should have been disclosed, he testified. Its one of the mistakes Ive made. ___

Associated Press writer Lisa Marie Pane in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this story.

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NRA trial opens window on secretive leader's life and work - The Associated Press

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports, and Culture Minister Iram Lewis officially opened The Job Ready Programme in Grand Bahama on Friday.

The programme will provide jobs and skills training to more than 130 young persons who have not been able to find employment since the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the opening ceremony held at the St Pauls Methodist Church Hall, Minister Lewis told participants that they will be equipped with the tools needed to build lifelong careers.

Job Ready is a 7-week course for youth between the ages of 17 and 25 who have not been able to secure or sustain employment.

Mr Lewis said the programme provides opportunities for our youth to realign themselves and get on the right track through our soft skills development and on-the-job training.

This cohort is a special one, as this will be the first since the start of the pandemic and among other issues, this group will have to persevere through COVID-19 restrictions as we strive to create our new normal, he said.

In the Bahamas typically, the youth are presented with a variety of social issues such as crime, poverty, and social inequalities just to name a few. My Ministry understands the importance of our young people overcoming these issues on the road to a successful life.

Therefore, this programme provides opportunities for our youth to realign themselves and get on the right track through our soft skills development and on-the-job training.

Through acquiring these skills from our Job Ready Programme many young men and women have equipped themselves with the tools needed to build lifelong careers.

Mr Lewis was pleased with the overwhelming response to the programme, which has received 130 applications submitted from youth throughout the island.

As a result of this, he indicated that two cohorts were created, one in Freeport, and a second in Eight Mile Rock to expand their reach throughout the island.

The programme encompasses Bahama Host, Food Safety & Handling, Health & Safety Protocols Training, Hands-on Activities, Lively & Interactive Presentations, and Webinars to ensure the students receive a wealth of knowledge and the skills to succeed.

Mr Lewis encouraged participants to take full advantage of the opportunities made available to them. I implore you to stay closely connected with our team at the Ministry of Youth via social media, on Facebook, and on Instagram. We are committed to assisting you through mentorship, guidance, and networking to equip you for the workplace, he said.

Deon McKinney, Junior Youth Parliamentarian for East Grand Bahama, also encouraged participants to continue to reach deep within and let their light shine.

He told the participants the challenges he had to overcome in his life, from being a failing student through his formative years in school to losing his both parents and the financial struggles of getting a college education. He told them how he was able to turn his circumstances around by finding value deep within himself. McKinney said: I told myself: I am valuable because God doesnt make junk.

Carla Roker-Brown is the youth coordinator. The theme is "Resilient Youth: Ready for the Workplace!"

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Lewis opens Job Ready Programme in Grand Bahama - Bahamas Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahamian quarter-miler Brianne Bethel is hoping that she can help the Bahamas get a womens 4 x 400 metre relay team on the global stage again.

The University of Houstons red shirt junior showed that shes back in fine form after a two-year break to deal with a series of injuries as she posted a pair of victories for the Cougars over the weekend at the Houston Alumni Invitational.

The 22-year-old twin sister to Brittni clocked the 11th fastest time in NCAA this season in 52.98 seconds to erase the meet record of 54.18 in the womens 400 metres.

She came back and posted the 14th fastest NCAA time of 23.18 to shatter her second record in the womens 200m. The previous mark was 23.89.

Bethel ran the second leg on the Cougars womens 4 x 400m relay that included Camille Rutherford on pop off with Cecilia Tamayo-Garza and Tristan Evelyn on third and fourth legs as they won in a meet record time of 3:49.01 to replace the previous mark of 3:49.79.

Earlier in the meet the same quartet in that same order won the womens 4 x 100m relay in 43.68 for the third-fastest time in the NCAA; matched the third-fastest time in Houstons program and erased the meet record of 44.39.

I dont have any goals time wise, but I want to be a collegiate record holder and I want to qualify for the Olympics and make the finals, Bethel proclaimed.

I really dont have any times in mind. I just want to run whatever time it takes to get those goals.

And while she would like to book her ticket to Tokyo, Japan in July for the Olympics in an individual event, Bethel said shes hoping her name could be added to the pool for the womens 4 x 400m relay team.

I feel if the Bahamas could come together and realize that we have this coming 4 x 4 team, we could go crazy in the Olympics, said Bethel of running with such athletes as Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Megan Moss and Doneisha Anderson, just to name a few.

We just have to get everyone to come together and everyone just being humble and just seeing that we have a good team. I know a lot of athletes just want to run their individual races. Thats why we dont do too well in the relay.

But if everyone could come together and realize that the Bahamas could win this 4 x 4, we could win. For real. We have the talent to do it.

Right now, Bethel said there are also two of her team mates at Houston, who could also contribute to the team as well as the 4 x 100m relay, if they are selected.

She was referring to Jaszmin and Camille Rutherford, the daughters of Chad and Frank Rutherford. She said they could have the Bahamas to redevelop its status as a force to reckon with on the international stage.

Bethel said she would have liked to have her sister join her in the journey, but having graduated last year from Houston, shes back in Grand Bahama.

However, Brittni returns to Houston from time to time and was there along with their parents, Claudette and Brian Bethel, along with her niece Abby in the stands for moral support at the meet over the weekend as she bounced back from her brief break on the track.

In 2019, Bethel had to red shirt her outdoor season after she messed up her knee. It carried over to 2020 when she developed Plantar Fasciitis and had to wear a boot on her foot.

She ran indoors in 2020, clocking 23.9 in the 200m, but of course the coronavirus pandemic ruined the remainder of the collegiate campaign.

Now shes back healthy and looking forward to the future.

I dont have any injuries right now, so Im really about that, she stated. I am looking forward to the end of my collegiate season and hopefully getting on this Olympic team and running in the relay.

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Brianne: 'Bahamas could win this 4 x 4, we could win' - Bahamas Tribune

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Tribune Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

RESIDENTS of The Farm shanty town in Abaco have hit out at what they claimed were heavy-handed tactics carried out during a raid on their community.

Their claims - which the The Tribune has not been able to independently corroborate - cast a shadow over the governments attempts to stop the spread of unauthorised developments.

Several residents claimed that during the pre-dawn raid last Thursday officers at some point drew their sidearms.

One witness, speaking anonymously to The Tribune, claimed this was in response to him trying to record the raid on his cell phone.

This resident said he ran for his life after the officers threatening told him to put his phone away.

Last weeks raid saw law enforcement agencies descending on the shanty town in a joint sting operation, confiscating generators, food supplies, personal items, illegal contraband and arresting several residents for various alleged infractions.

The officers handed out notices of eviction and as the sun began to rise, a 40ft container, flatbed trucks and forklifts moved in.

Yesterday, one woman who only spoke Creole, told The Tribune through her English-speaking young daughter that having received an eviction notice, she has no idea what is next for her family because she has nowhere to go.

She claimed her generator and money were removed from the place she calls home.

Asked about some of the allegations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works Desmond Bannister said he would speak about the operation in Parliament today.

The young male shanty town resident said the community has been left scrambling after last weeks raid.

I know the Haitians they built on land that there was no permission given to building on, but we still humans, he said.

Thursday I would say there were as many as 60 officers. There were just so much of them. When they came, they didnt come professional like, asking questions or anything, they came with force, pulling weapons and stuff, ransacking things, he alleged.

... I ran away for my life I would say because I was trying to record them doing this injustice to people who have nowhere else to go.

The man said he was born in The Bahamas and has status here, but he lives at The Farm like many Haitians of Bahamian descent.

On Thursday these people were just digging in our houses and if you were not at home or at work they were going by force in these people house.

The things that the Red Cross and Samaritans Purse gave them and some that they bought on their own like freezers and generators, these people took them away even though the people was providing their receipts for some of the things that they had.

He insisted there was a better way to deal with the situation, adding that residents would have cooperated.

Another man told The Tribune he viewed the entire ordeal as inhumane.

They chased us for our phones, they broke in people house what wasnt even home. This is wrong, he claimed.

In early February, Mr Bannister along with other government officials toured some parts of The Farm. He said it would not be an overnight fix but pledged to Abaconians that the government would take the necessary action to deal with unregulated developments on the island.

Aerial surveillance, released by Abaconians earlier that month, showed new construction taking place, with buildings being built more strategically and sturdier than what was seen in the irregular communities pre-Hurricane Dorian.

Following this, the Ministry of Public Works along with other authorities carried out the operation last week.

The Ministry of Public Works co-ordinated a multi-agency operation, with the assistance and advice of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF); the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF); Bahamas Customs Department; the Bahamas Department of Immigration; Bahamas Power and Light (BPL); and private sector partners in the unregulated community known as The Farm near to Treasure Cay, Abaco, a statement issued last week noted.

The operation resulted in the arrest of illegal immigrants and other persons who are suspected of being involved in various criminal offences; the seizure of suspected stolen goods; and the disconnection of a large quantity of illegally operated generators and gas tanks.

The illegally constructed access roadways were closed; and signs written in English and Creole were erected. Signs were also posted on illegally erected buildings. The signs warn inhabitants of the legal prohibition of any new construction, and of the intention of the government to demolish all of the illegally constructed buildings.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force and Royal Bahamas Defence Force will maintain a presence in the area to enforce these notices as officers of the Ministry of Public Works carry out their legal mandate during the upcoming weeks.

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'WE'RE HUMAN TOO': Shanty town residents hit out at authorities on tactics employed in raid - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The majority of Bahamians who participated in a recent survey on cannabis supported the use of the plant for religious purposes, Eyewitness News can reveal.

The survey was conducted by Bahamian market and opinion research firm Public Domain between November 24, 2020 and December 14, 2020.

A total of 1,000 residents, identified by random telephone number selection throughout The Bahamas, were interviewed. All respondents were screened to ensure they were over the age of 18.

While 45 percent of participants agreed that cannabis should be made legal for religions that utilize the plant for sacramental purposes, 40 percent were against its use for that purpose and another 15 percent either did not know or were unsure.

However, a further look at the demographics of respondents showed support for cannabis legalization for religious use was greater among men and those between ages 18 and 34.

Among men, 51 percent of participants support the legalization of cannabis for religious use compared to 40 percent among women.

And when looking at participants responses per each age group, 51 percent of those between 18 and 34 said yes, compared to 44 percent among those between 35 and 54, and 35 percent support among those 55 and over.

The survey also asked whether restrictions on usage should be introduced if cannabis was legalized for religious purpose.

A whopping 74 percent of all participants agreed that use of the plant in these circumstances should be restricted.

There was relative consensus on this question across the demographics broken down by sex, age and income level.

For example, 71 percent of men and 77 percent of women said restrictions of usage should be in place if cannabis was legalized for religious use.

Similarly, 78 percent of participants aged 18 to 34 agreed.

Meanwhile, 72 percent of respondents aged 35 to 54 agreed and 69 percent of those 55 and older agreed with restricting use.

Respondents also widely agreed that there should be restrictions on the locations in which cannabis could be used if it were to be legalized for religious purposes.

On the question of whether religious members should be allowed to grow cannabis for religious purposes, there was some divergence, with 44 percent of participants supporting the religious community growing the plant and 47 percent against it.

A closer look at the responses via demographic showed that 49 percent of men agreed with religious members growing the plant, while only 39 percent of women who participated in the survey supported this.

Younger participants had greater support of religious members growing the plant than their older counterparts, with 49 percent of those between 18 and 34 answering yes; 44 percent of those between 35 and 54 supporting; and only 31 percent of those 55 and older supporting.

Lower-income earners also supported religious members growing cannabis in greater numbers than high-income earners.

Participants who earn under $30,000 per year were equally for and against religious members growing cannabis, with 46 percent saying yes and 46 percent saying no.

Another eight percent either did not know or were unsure.

For those who earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, 44 percent agreed and 51 percent disagreed.

Only 36 percent of those who earn over $60,000 annually supported religious members growing the plant, and 50 percent were against the idea.

The vast majority of respondents supported restrictions of types and amounts of cannabis grown for religious purposes if it were allowed, such as limited to small amounts being grown.

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TENTATIVE APPROVAL: Survey shows support for cannabis use for religious purposes, but with restrictions - EyeWitness News

Eleuthera students get sick after eating marijuana-laced cookies shipped from NPFormer health minister: Discussion on decriminalization of marijuana does not apply to minors

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Following another incident of students ingesting marijuana edibles on Thursday, education officials said they are closely monitoring what may be a new trend.

Police said several students on Eleuthera fell sick on Thursday after reportedly eating marijuana-laced cookies.

Reports indicated that the edibles were shipped from New Providence via a mailboat to Rock Sound.

Although the students attended Preston Albury High School, the matter did not occur on the schools premises.

Education Director Marcellus Taylor told Eyewitness News that while the latest matter did not occur on a school campus, education officials have taken steps to address the serious concern surrounding the use of drugs with students.

The only concern we have is the fact that young people are engaging in unhealthy practices and we have a curriculum that teaches Health and Family Life and Christian education, like Religious Studies, to try to cause people to have discipline and to know what is right and wrong.

Taylor insisted that the parents and relatives of students must take responsibility.

Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) Officer in Charge Chief Superintendent Roberto Goodman said that while police have seen the trend across the country, possession and consumption of the drug is still illegal.

We have this edible marijuana now throughout the various communities. Weve seen it in Grand Bahama; weve seen it here in New Providence; weve seen it now in Eleuthera. We just want to sensitize parents, guardians, schools and these civic groups that persons who continue to consume this marijuana or sell marijuana, it is illegal.

Last month, seven students from S C McPherson Junior High School were taken to the hospital after consuming marijuana edibles brought to school by another student.

A 14-year-old student was arrested and charged in connection with the issue.

Taylor noted that the impacted students were provided with drug counseling to sensitize them to the issue.

He added that teachers will also undergo similar training and counseling in order to be equipped to respond to the matter.

Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson said the latest events are not isolated incidents, indicating that the Ministry of Education has not been forthcoming with the very serious and troubling matters.

Wilson said a similar incident occurred recently at North Long Island High School.

It seems as though a trend is starting and in this early stages, I urge the Ministry of Education to address this matter forthwith, she said.

I also impress upon parents to get more involved in the day-to-day activities of your children. Talk to your children about drugs and alcohol and their possible negative impact.

I am supporting the police in their endeavors to investigate these matters fully and bring the culprits to account so that they can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We must protect our children at all cost.

Wilson urged teachers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior.

The Bahamas Union of Teachers is prepared to work with the Ministry of Education, the police and school security and other stakeholders to devise plans on how to combat this serious issue.

Police have advised that they are investigating new trends of edible marijuana being used and sold in The Bahamas.

The trends also emerge as the government determines its position on the decriminalization of marijuana in the country.

However, former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said the fact that the illegal substance has made it into the hands of minors speaks to a threat and a risk.

At many different levels, this is a problem, he said.

We need to focus on the fact that we are talking about school students who should not be even having any access to any type of drugs and the conversation about marijuana doesnt even start.

This is a problem that is unacceptable and Im hoping once the investigations are done and whoever is responsible is brought before the courts and dealt with appropriately.

Sands added that while it is not a new problem, it is a perennial problem that needs to be addressed through proper education.

Lets not inflate the discussion of discrimination and legalization of marijuana; when we talk about minors, it doesnt arise.

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VERY SERIOUS AND TROUBLING MATTER: Officials hone in on trend of marijuana edibles in schools - EyeWitness News