By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
Addressing the Annual Police Officers’ Conference on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, President Dr. Irfaan Ali declared domestic violence and school-based crime as “national social emergencies.” His address outlined a tech-heavy strategy to safeguard vulnerable groups, particularly women and students, while confronting modern health risks like vaping.
Tech-Backed Safety: The Panic System
A central announcement was the government’s partnership with technology providers to implement a panic alert system modeled after successful solutions in Mexico.
- For Women: A digital “panic button” connected to a central database. Once a threat is reported, the victim can instantly alert security forces of their location and danger level with a single press.
- For Schools: Recognizing that over 90% of teachers in Guyana are women, the system will be deployed to at-risk schools. It will allow teachers and staff to trigger rapid electronic alerts for immediate police support during gang-related or violent incidents.
Confronting School Gangs and Cyber Threats
President Ali warned of a “troubling surge” in student violence, fueled by school-based gangs and amplified by social media.
- Zero Tolerance for Gangs: Following recent incidents of student violence, the President called for a massive program to dismantle gangs within the education system, involving religious groups and community leaders.
- Digital Dangers: He cautioned that young people are increasingly falling victim to cyberbullying and online fraud, necessitating a national digital literacy program starting in schools.
Vaping: A “Brain Development” Crisis
The President issued a stern alarm over the rise of vaping among youth, describing it as an underestimated threat to national development.
- Neurodevelopmental Risk: Nicotine exposure during adolescence harms the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for attention, learning, and impulse control—which continues to develop until the mid-20s.
- Mental Health Link: Heavy vaping has been correlated with increased rates of anxiety, mood disorders, and sleep disturbances in young people.
- Legislative Action: The government is exploring a total “vaping ban” in schools and stricter retail licensing to restrict youth access to e-cigarettes.
