In a significant move to address the pressing issue of alcohol and substance abuse in the Grenadian society, the Minister for Mental Health, Wellness, and Religious Affairs, Delma Thomas has announced the restoration of the Carlton House for substance abuse on the site that previously housed the Nurses Hostel in her rural constituency of St. Andrew North-west.
Minister Thomas, who is the Member of Parliament for the area, made the announcement on Wednesday, moments after receiving a symbolic cheque of $584,392.00 from the Managing Director of the Grenada Cooperative Bank Ltd., Larry Lawrence towards the noteworthy cause, during a handing over ceremony at the Radisson Hotel in Grand Anse.
The minister revealed that groundwork is already underway towards “completing a feasibility study, the designs for the new Carlton House, and surveying of the land,” which is owned by the Government of Grenada and has given assurance that “the clearing of the site will be done before the end of 2024,” with construction earmarked to commence in “2025.”
Managing Director of the Cooperative Bank said that the funds, which were raised over five years through the Bank’s annual “Pump it up” fun walk event, will be used for outfitting the restored facility.
Lawrence disclosed that “the funds will remain in a trust managed by the Board of Trustees until the ministry completes the construction and is ready to outfit the facility.”
He commended the committee of staff volunteers responsible for planning and executing the initiative, which is the single largest of its kind on the Bank’s agenda and has garnered support from corporate Grenada over the years, surpassing the initial $500,000.00 target by $84,000.00.
Among the key contributors were Jonas Browne & Hubbard (G’da) Ltd., Guardian General Insurance (OECS) Ltd., Antillean Group, Flow Grenada, Waggy T Rental and Sounds, Coyaba Beach Resort, Bailey’s Funeral Home, and Body Image Health Club.
These companies were on the receiving end of Tokens of appreciation during Wednesday’s ceremony, in a symbolic showing of appreciation for their contributions to the success of the initiative.
Minister Thomas has commended Co-op Bank and its partners for their “exemplary support” through the initiative, which she noted would go a long way to address the crucial societal issues of alcoholism and substance abuse, fostering community development and promoting a culture and support for individuals struggling with addiction.
She pledged the government’s commitment to restoring Carlton House which was destroyed almost 20 years ago by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, emphasising that “the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by Our Honourable Prime Minister will ensure the reconstruction of a rehabilitation center in Grenada.”
Apart from drafting a National Wellness Policy, last year the 2-year old administration announced that it had secured funding to the tune of US$630,000.00 from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under the “Health Centre Strengthening Project” to further expand the possible intervention programmes at the Carlton Home to reflect holistic wellness rather than just treating substance abuse.