WICB Party Stands decision Questioned

Government’s Substance Abuse Prevention Officer is questioning whether careful consideration was given to a decision to allow children into the party stands at the second one day international last Sunday at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

Parents and children deemed minors were faced with a dilemma, when after paying for tickets and being admitted into the section, they were asked to seek alternative seating arrangements, a move that received angry reaction from some patrons.

The West Indies Cricket Board’s decision was later rescinded with an apology, and the assurance that children with valid tickets will be allowed into the party stands on Wednesday.

But Norma Jeffrey-Dorsett believes the move to admit children and the subsequent decision to exclude them from the party zone last Sunday may have been ill-conceived.

Meantime, despite her department’s efforts to raise awareness about the negative effects of alcohol and drug use on the lives of young people, the substance abuse prevention officer says attention is not being given to this social issue.

Norma Jeffrey-Dorsett is maintaining there needs to be greater control, especially where alcohol is concerned, since the consequences can be dire.

Children will also be accepted into the party stands in the upcoming Twenty20 Internationals, to be held in Barbados, but only in the company of a parent or adult guardian.