(Trinidad Express) – DOZENS of minors are currently receiving intervention and treatment through State agencies for substance abuse including alcohol and marijuana, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit has said.
Mohit has also blamed the influence of drugs and alcohol on a “riot” last week involving young people receiving treatment at the National Care and Empowerment Centre (NCEC).
The minister’s comments came during her contribution to the debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, which was passed in the Lower House on Wednesday night.
Mohit defended the Government’s proposal to increase the legal age limit for the consumption of alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21 years, and the limit for cannabis use from 18 to 25 years.
She noted that the bill included amendments to The Children’s Act, and stressed the negative impacts of early addictions.
Mohit said the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is responsible for children in need of supervision, who are referred to as “CHINs”.
She pointed out the role of the Authority in relation to “CHINs”, pursuant to Section 50A of the Children Act, 2012, where a parent, guardian, or person with responsibility for a child alleges that he or she is unable to control the child.
