Up to 625,000 Tied to Drug Trade in Caribbean: TCI Joins Global Fight with First IDADAIT Expo

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Turks and Caicos, June 28, 2025 – Up to 625,000 people in the Caribbean may be indirectly linked to the illegal drug trade—five times the number directly involved—revealing the extensive social and economic footprint of narcotics trafficking across the region. In response to this growing concern, the Turks and Caicos Islands took a bold step on June 25, 2025, by hosting its first International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) Expo at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Providenciales.

The event, spearheaded by the Department of Behavioural Health within the Ministry of Health and Human Services, was held under the theme: “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All.” The expo brought together students, educators, health professionals, law enforcement, and community members to explore the far-reaching consequences of drug use and trafficking—including health risks, legal consequences, familial breakdowns, social unrest, and educational disruption.

The IDADAIT Expo featured interactive booths, panel discussions, and real-life testimonies, all aimed at increasing awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health challenges. Officials emphasized that addressing drug abuse requires a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, rehabilitation, and community reintegration.

Celebrated globally on June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was adopted by the United Nations in 1987. TCI’s inaugural observance aligns the country with international efforts to reduce the global impact of illicit drugs and to promote public health and safety.

In staging this high-impact initiative, the Turks and Caicos Islands reaffirmed its commitment to building a more resilient, drug-aware society—one step closer to breaking the chains of addiction and restoring lives.