Before an audience of attentive primary school students, Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler announced a new drug-free mascot for kids and a new found Government commitment to drug prevention.

He said: “Prevention is a proactive process that promotes positive changes for individuals.

“It goes without saying that prevention begins in places like these.”

The event was held at the Francis Patton Primary School in front of about 100 students, who for the first time, were meeting Freddy — the new National Drug Control mascot.

Freddy was named by school children in a contest.

Yesterday the Minister presented some of the pupils with awards for their efforts.

In his message on prevention, Minister Butler also said: “We are well on our way to expanding treatment facilities on the Island and a research initiative will be announced in a few weeks.”

Through its Drug Control arm, the Ministry of Social Rehabilitation hopes to supplement its residential treatment facilities with a series of halfway houses.

Acting Director of Drug Control Charles Brown said: “It’s designed to facilitate their reintegration, not just say ‘your time has been served and now see you later’.

“Instead of holding two hands, we’ll be holding one hand.”

There will be construction and renovation projects this year to get residential facilities up to a certain standard and the halfway houses will be added simultaneously, according to Mr. Brown.

He said: “We’re expanding for what we anticipate to be increasing demand.”

The projects should reach completion by the end of the year and will, no doubt, be a costly enterprise.

Minister Butler argues an added focus on prevention actually provides cost savings for taxpayers.

“The best use of our resources is in the area of prevention,” he said.

“Successful prevention efforts have the potential of saving not just millions of dollars worth of taxpayers’ money, but most importantly it has the potential to save lives.”

Freddy was introduced to students with a drum roll and a hug from Mr. Butler, then loud cheers from the children.

He will hit the road now visiting middle schools around the Island with a drug-free message next month.